Magnesium powders, sinterability

Electronic Transport, General Description. Magnesium Oxide (MgO). Electrical transport measurements on alkaline earth oxides encounter several difficulties, such as high resistance at low temperatures, a strong influence of surface layers, and high-temperature thermionic emission. The partly contradictory results depend considerably on the purity and nature of the samples (pressed porous powders, sintered samples, polycrystals, and single crystals) and on the experimental conditions. 

Ceramic matrix composites are produced by one of several methods. Short fibers and whiskers can be mixed with a ceramic powder before the body is sintered. Long fibers and yams can be impregiated with a slurry of ceramic particles and, after drying, be sintered. Metals (e.g., aluminum, magnesium, and titanium) are frequently used as matrixes for ceramic composites as well. Ceramic metal-matrix composites are fabricated by infiltrating arrays of fibers with molten metal so that a chemical reaction between the fiber and the metal can take place in a thin layer surrounding the fiber. 

Two methods are available for the preparation of the powder (Smith, 1969). In one, zinc oxide is ignited at 900 to 1000 °C for 12 to 24 hours until activity is reduced to the desired level. This oxide powder is yellow, presumably because zinc is in excess of that required for stoichiometry. Alternatively, a blend of zinc oxide and magnesium oxide in the ratio of 9 1 is heated for 8 to 12 hours to form a sintered mass. This mass is ground and reheated for another 8 to 12 hours. The powder is white. Altogether the powder is similar to that used in zinc phosphate cements. 

Magnesium oxide is always blended with the zinc oxide prior to ignition. Magnesium oxide promotes densification of the zinc oxide, preserves its whiteness and renders the sintered powder easier to pulverize (Crowell, 1929). The sintered mixed oxide has been shown to contain zinc oxide and a solid solution of zinc oxide in magnesium oxide (Zhuravlev, Volfson Sheveleva, 1950). Specific surface area is reduced compared with that of pure zinc oxide and cements prepared from the mixed oxides are stronger (Crowell, 1929 Zhuravlev, Volfson Sheveleva, 1950). 

The magnesium-reduced beryllium pebbles generally assay 96% beryllium and are always associated with residual magnesium and slag. These pebbles are purified to about 99.5% by vacuum induction melting in beryllia crucibles at temperatures of about 1400 °C. The ingots are machined and machined scarf is milled to produce beryllium powder. The ground metal powder is pressed and sintered under vacuum. The product is called vacuum hot-pressed beryllium, and this is machined for component manufacture. 

Itatani, K., Nomura, M., Kishioka, A. and Kinoshita, M., Sinterability of various high-purity magnesium oxide powders ,/. Mat. Sci., 1986 21 1429-35. 

---