A new approach to the processing of metal hydrides

In this paper we show that severe plastic deformation techniques could be used to enhance hydrogen sorption properties of metal hydrides. Commercial magnesium hydride was processed in a vertical cold rolling apparatus. After only five rolling passes hydrogen sorption kinetics at 623 K were greatly enhanced without noticeable loss of capacity. The improvement in sorption kinetics is probably due to the nanocrystalline structure and number of defects. Investigation of the powder morphology and crystal structure indicates that cold rolling is equivalent to ball milling.