Hydriding/dehydriding behaviors of La1.8Ca0.2Mg14Ni3 alloy modified by mechanical ball-milling under argon

The effects of mechanical ball-milling on the hydriding/dehydriding behaviors of La1.8Ca0.2Mg14Ni3 alloy were investigated. The time of ball-milling under an argon atmosphere is 10, 15 and 20 h, respectively. The changes in phase structure and morphology of the samples were analyzed through XRD and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that mechanical ball-milling can improve the hydrogen absorption/desorption kinetics of La1.8Ca0.2Mg14Ni3 alloy. The milled alloys of La1.8Ca0.2Mg14Ni3 show much better hydriding/dehydriding behaviors than the as-cast alloy. Among the alloys studied, the alloy milled for 20 h shows the best overall property.