The microstructure of mechanically alloyed Al–Mg determined by X-ray diffraction peak profile analysis

The effect of the nominal Mg content and the milling time on the microstructure and the hardness of mechanically alloyed Al-rich Al–Mg solid solutions is studied. The crystallite size distribution and the dislocation structure are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) peak profile analysis and the hardness is obtained from depth-sensing indentation tests. Magnesium gradually goes into solid solution during ball milling and after 3 h an almost complete solid solution is attained. With increasing milling time, the Mg concentration in solid solution, the dislocation density and the hardness increase, whereas the crystallite size decreases. A similar tendency of these parameters is observed at a particular duration of ball milling with increasing nominal Mg content. After 3 h milling there are no changes in both the microstructure and the hardness.