Magnesium aluminide

Magnesium aluminide is an intermetallic compound of magnesium and aluminium. Common phases (molecular structures) include the beta phase (Mg₂Al₃) and the gamma phase (Mg₁₇Al₁₂), which both have cubic crystal structures. Magnesium aluminides are important constituents of 5XXX aluminium alloys (aluminium-magnesium) and magnesium-aluminium alloys, determining many of their engineering properties. MgAl has also been investigated for use as a reactant to produce metal hydrides in hydrogen storage technology. Like many intermetallics, MgAl compounds often have unusual stoichiometries with large and complex unit cells.

References

• D. Singh, C. Suryanarayana, L. Mertus, and R-H. Chen (2003). "Extended Homogeneity Range of Intermetallic Phases in Mechanically Alloyed Mg-Al Alloys". Intermetallics 11: 373–376. doi:10.1016/S0966-9795(03)00005-0.