LOW-TEMPERATURE FORMATION OF MGH2 IN TI0.6ZR0.4MN0.8CRCU0.2 MG/

We have investigated the hydriding properties and microstructures of t he new composite material Ti0.6Zr0.4Mn0.8CrCu0.2/Mg which contains ele mental Mg as a binder. The hydriding properties of the host compound a re improved owing to the Mg reduction effect in the process of heat tr eatment. In addition, we observed that in the process of heat treatmen t the Cu in the host compound Ti0.6Zr0.4Mn0.8CrCu0.2 diffuses into the Mg region and Mg2Cu is formed. After hydriding and dehydriding cycles , hydrogen in the host compound diffuses into the Mg region through th e Mg2Cu phase. Consequently, MgH2 is formed even at temperatures below 373 K under hydrogen pressures of less than 1 MPa.