Magnesium aluminide

$\beta$ -Mg₂Al₃
Names
	Other names Samson phase; Mg448Al720;
Properties
Density	2.235 g/cm3, solid
Structure
Space group	Fd3m (No. 227)
Lattice constant	a = 2823.9 pm
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

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. Due to the advantage of low density and being strong, magnesium aluminide is important for aircraft engines.^[2] 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.

$\beta$ -Mg₂Al₃ is a complex metallic alloy which crystallizes in cubic unit cell with 1168 atoms per cell. If the Wyckoff positions were fully occupied, the structure would have 1832 atoms, but the sites are only partially occupied. The structure has very low density, and has been suggested for use in hydrogen storage.^[3]

References

^ Samson, S. (1965-09-01). "The crystal structure of the phase β Mg2Al3". Acta Crystallographica. 19 (3). International Union of Crystallography (IUCr): 401–413. Bibcode:1965AcCry..19..401S. doi:10.1107/s0365110x65005133. ISSN 0365-110X.
^ Rayner-Canham, Geoffrey (22 December 2013). Descriptive inorganic chemistry. Overton, Tina (Sixth ed.). New York, NY. ISBN 978-1-4641-2557-7. OCLC 882867766.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^ Steurer, Walter (2007). "The Samson phase, β-Mg₂Al₃, revisited". Zeitschrift für Kristallographie. 222 (6). Walter de Gruyter GmbH: 259–288. Bibcode:2007ZK....222..259S. doi:10.1524/zkri.2007.222.6.259. ISSN 0044-2968.

D. Singh; C. Suryanarayana; L. Mertus & R-H. Chen (2003). "Extended Homogeneity Range of Intermetallic Phases in Mechanically Alloyed Mg-Al Alloys". Intermetallics. 11 (4): 373–376. doi:10.1016/S0966-9795(03)00005-0.

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[1] Samson, S. (1965-09-01). "The crystal structure of the phase β Mg2Al3". Acta Crystallographica. 19 (3). International Union of Crystallography (IUCr): 401–413. Bibcode:1965AcCry..19..401S. doi:10.1107/s0365110x65005133. ISSN 0365-110X.

[2] Rayner-Canham, Geoffrey (22 December 2013). Descriptive inorganic chemistry. Overton, Tina (Sixth ed.). New York, NY. ISBN 978-1-4641-2557-7. OCLC 882867766.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

[3] Steurer, Walter (2007). "The Samson phase, β-Mg₂Al₃, revisited". Zeitschrift für Kristallographie. 222 (6). Walter de Gruyter GmbH: 259–288. Bibcode:2007ZK....222..259S. doi:10.1524/zkri.2007.222.6.259. ISSN 0044-2968.

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