Solid-state synthesis of magnesium silicide via repeated plastic working and spark plasma sintering

In this study, the solid-state reaction to form Mg2Si bulky materials via spark plasma sintering (SPS) process was discussed. Elemental powder mixture of Mg-33.33mol%Si was refined and consolidated as green compacts by repeated plastic working (RPW) SPS was performed to synthesize and sinter magnesium silicide at 1100K from the RPWed compact. The only peaks of Mg2Si, not Mg and Si, were detected by X-ray diffraction analysis. Mg2Si bulky intermetallic began to shrink above 800K during SPS process, and its densification significantly occurred. The density of SPSed Mg2Si bulk material is about 100% of the theoretically relative one.