INFLUENCE OF SINTERING TEMPERATURE ON THE STRUCTURAL OF Mg2Si0.3Sn0.7 ALLOY PREPARED BY POWDER METALLURGY

Abstract

The efficiency of energy consumption can be improved by reducing the heat lost during the combustion process of automotive engines. By converting waste heat energy into other energy sources that can be used directly, efficiency can be achieved. Mg2Si0.3Sn0.7 is a metal alloy that has the potential to convert waste heat into power. In this research, we used the powder metallurgy method to synthesize the Mg2Si0.3Sn0.7-based alloy. A mixture of Mg, Si, and Sn powders that had been milled for 2 hours was insulated in the stainless-steel tube to avoid oxidation and combustion. Heat treatment was conducted with temperature variations of 700, 750, and 800°C for 4 hours to investigate the influence of sintering temperature on the crystal structure of the Mg2Si0.3Sn0.7-based alloy. The microstructure and formation of the material were examined using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Based on XRD analysis, it was found that the Mg2Si0.3Sn0.7 phase and a small amount of magnesium oxide (MgO) phase have formed. Due to the phase transition from Mg2Si0.3Sn0.7 to Mg2Sn at a sintering temperature of 800°C, the cubic lattice constant -a changes from 0.6631 nm to 0.6765 nm.