SOLID-SOLUTION OF MG IN TI BY MECHANICAL ALLOYING

Solid solution of 9 wt% Mg in Ti has been achieved by mechanical alloy ing in a clean atmosphere. The equilibrium solubility of magnesium in titanium is very low and processing of these alloys by conventional ro utes is not possible due to the high vapour pressure of Mg. Alloys of Ti and Mg have only been previously achieved by vapour quenching. Cont amination was avoided by processing under a high purity argon atmosphe re in sealed vials. Lattice parameter measurements and SEM observation s suggested that all the Mg was in solid solution after 48 h milling. This has been confirmed by high resolution TEM which shows extremely f ine Ti grains in which Mg is homogeneously distributed with no cluster ing or precipitation.