Effect of Yttrium on Microstructures and Preparation and Structure of Mg2-xRExNi (RE=La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Y) Ternary Alloys

A series of Mg2-xNdxNi(x=0.05,0.1,0.2,0.3)alloys and Mg1.95RE0.05Ni(RE= La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Y)ternary alloys were prepared by ball milling of mixted powder of Mg,Ni,RE and sintering under the protection of argon.XRD analysis shows that Mg2-xNdxNi(x=0.05,0.1)and Mg1.95RE0.05Ni consist of single phase with the same crystal structure as Mg2Ni.While three-phase alloys including Mg2Ni,NdNi and NdMgNi4 were formed in Mg1.8Nd0.2Ni and Mg1.7Nd0.3Ni alloys respectively.The lattice constants of Mg2Ni in those ternary alloys were calculated.The decomposition of Mg2Ni occurs in the milling process of Mg2Ni and Mg1.95RE0.05 Ni alloys respectively.For the latter,another earlier reaction occurs in milling process,which means that atoms of RE are separated from crystal structure of Mg2Ni and form relevant oxides by combination with oxygen existed in argon atmosphere.