Magnesium (MG) Alloy and Method of Producing Same

Abstract

Embodiments of a magnesium (Mg) alloy and method for producing the same are disclosed. One such embodiment, among others, is a method for producing a magnesium (Mg) alloy, comprising the steps of: (a) producing a Mg powder aggregate by mixing Mg powder and at least one strengthening agent, the strengthening agent selected from: a carbon, a metal, and a combination thereof; (b) agglomerating the aggregate; and (c) sintering the agglomerated aggregate to produce the Mg alloy. Preferably, although not necessarily, steps (a) and (b) are performed using a ball mill. Moreover, the strengthening agent may be, for example but not limited to, carbon nanotubes, copper, tin, titanium, or silicon carbide. The resulting Mg alloy comprises nano-scale crystalline and/or micro-scale crystalline lattice structures and a yield strength that is at least as high as steel, exhibiting a yield strength that is about 320 MPa to 500 MPa.

At least the following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for producing a magnesium (Mg) alloy, comprising the steps of:
 producing a Mg powder aggregate by mixing Mg powder and at least one strengthening agent, the strengthening agent selected from the group consisting of: a carbon, a metal, and a combination thereof;   agglomerating the aggregate; and   sintering the agglomerated aggregate to produce the Mg alloy.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the producing and agglomerating steps are performed in a ball mill. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of: carbon nanotubes, copper, tin, titanium, silicon carbide, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent is a metal with a hexagonal close-packed crystal structure. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of compacting the agglomerated aggregate prior to performing the sintering step. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein during the agglomerating step, the aggregate is sealed in a container with an inert gas in order to prevent oxidation of the aggregate. 
     
     
         7 . A magnesium (Mg) alloy produced by the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . A method for producing a magnesium (Mg) alloy, comprising the steps of:
 mixing and agglomerating in a ball mill a Mg powder aggregate having a Mg powder and at least one strengthening agent, the strengthening agent selected from the group consisting of: a carbon, a metal, and a combination thereof; and   sintering the agglomerated aggregate to produce the Mg alloy.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of preventing oxidation of the aggregate during the agglomerating step by introducing an inert gas into the ball mill. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of: carbon nanotubes, copper, tin, titanium, silicon carbide, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A magnesium (Mg) alloy comprising a structure selected from the group consisting of: a nano-scale crystalline lattice structure, a micro-scale crystalline lattice structure, and a combination thereof; and exhibiting a yield strength that is about 320 MPa to 500 MPa. 
     
     
         12 . The Mg alloy of  claim 11 , wherein the alloy comprises Mg and a strengthening agent, and wherein the strengthening agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of: a carbon, a metal, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The Mg alloy of  claim 12 , wherein the agent is a metal with a hexagonal close-packed crystal structure. 
     
     
         14 . The Mg alloy of  claim 11 , wherein the alloy comprises Mg and a strengthening agent, and wherein the strengthening agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of: carbon nanotubes, copper, tin, titanium, silicon carbide, and a combination thereof.