Effects of Ball Milling Time and Sintering Temperature on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg-Al-Ti Alloy

Driven by the demand for lightweight materials, magnesium has gained significant interest due to its abundance and low density. This study systematically investigated the effects of mechanical ball milling time and sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a powder-metallurgy-processed Mg-Al-Ti alloy. The results established a correlation between ball milling and sintering processes, demonstrating that regulating precursor powder characteristics effectively enhances sintering diffusion efficiency. By precisely controlling sintering temperature and powder particle size characteristics, the alloy achieved high density, hardness, and strength at relatively low temperatures, demonstrating comprehensive performance. Optimal properties were obtained at 420 °C sintering conditions: relative density of 98%, hardness of 172 HV, compressive strength of 367 MPa, and nanoscale Young's modulus reaching 45.15 GPa. Further analysis indicated that intermetallic compounds formed during sintering contributed significantly to the hardness enhancement, with the strengthening mechanism primarily attributed to the synergistic effects of precipitation and solid solution strengthening. The work provides a theoretical basis for further development of high-performance materials by subsequent processing.