Effect of process variables on the synthesis of MgB2 by high energy ball mill

Discovery of superconductivity of MgB2 with a critical temperature of -234 °C has offered the promise of important large-scale applications. Except for the other featured synthesis methods, mechanical activation, performed by high-energy ball mills to synthesis of bulk form of MgB2 or as a first step of wire and thin film production has considered as an effective alternative production route in recent years. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of process variables such as the ball-to-powder weight ratio (BPR), size of ball, milling time, annealing temperature and contribution of process control agent (toluene) on the product size, morphology and conversion level of precursor powders to MgB2 after subsequent heat treatment. Although, the test results revealed relatively lower weight percent of MgB2 phase formation compared with the literature, the reduced milling time, BPR and sinterability of pre-alloyed powder to MgB2 at lowered temperature (630 °C) enhanced the applicability of mechanical alloying with SPEX mill.