Phase evolution in the Al-Mg system during mechanical alloying

The Al-Mg, Al-Mg-C, and Al(Sc)-Mg-C powders were prepared through the solid state mechanical alloying (MA) by ball milling. The MA process was carried out in the planetary mill in argon gas atmosphere. The phase evolution dynamics during milling for various times was characterized in details by the XRD analysis technique. Phase composition and structure parameters of the powders were investigated by the Rietveld refinement method. It was found the solid state process control agent (PCA) (carbon) and alloying Al by Sc accelerates metastable intermetallic phase formation under MA.