A ternary phase in Cu-Li-Mg system

A previous study on Cu-Li-Mg system pointed out the existence of Cu8Li2Mg15, with an orthorhombic structure. The authors of the present paper also detected the existence of a ternary phase similar to the one mentioned. Due to some doubts on the phase's structure, a study of Cu-Li-Mg was focused in an area near to the composition of that phase. SEM/EDS measurements of the phases' compositions in equilibrium, as well as XRD powder patterns were obtained at room temperature. It was concluded that the ternary phase in Cu-Li-Mg system corresponds to CuMg2-L-x(x), (x approximate to 0. 11), with a hexagonal structure, space group P6(2)22 (18 0), and lattice parameters a = b = 0.5260 nm, and c = 1.3649 nm. The structure was refined by Rietveld method; a Bragg reliability factor RB = 6.36% was obtained. Similarities between CuMg2-Li-x(x) (x approximate to 0.11) and NiMg2(H, D), (x approximate to 0.3) structures are detailed. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.X. All rights reserved.