A study on the formation of MgAl2O4 and MgO crystals in Al–Mg/quartz composite by differential thermal analysis

The present study has examined the thermodynamics of MgAl2O4 and MgO formations in Al–Mg alloy/quartz (>99% crystalline silica) through differential thermal analysis (DTA). The formation of MgAl2O4 and MgO is detected as exothermic peaks in the heat flow curve and the reaction is confirmed by the Si dissolution peaks observed during the reheating of samples and SEM analysis of the reacted sample. The presence of MgAl2O4 and MgO is confirmed in the XRD analysis of the reacted sample. The study has enabled the production of nano sized MgAl2O4 and MgO crystals at the interface of Al–Mg alloy and quartz. The reaction between them is found to be influenced by the oxidation of Mg, which is reduced by increasing heating rates.