The effect of Aluminum (Al) ratio on the synthesis of the laminated Mn2AlB2 MAB Phase

MAB phases have recently garnered significant interest due to their excellent properties, such as high thermal and electrical conductivity, oxidation resistance, and exceptional corrosion resistance. Although the Mn2AlB2 phase has been synthesized using multiple methods recently, it requires long experimental durations (up to 7 days), high costs, and extensive experimental efforts to achieve high purity. In our study, the Mn2AlB2 MAB phase was synthesized using Al, B, and Mn as precursor materials. Specifically, we investigated the effect of Al ratios (Al:1.3, Al:3, and Al:10) on the formation of the Mn2AlB2 MAB phase. The precursor powders were mixed homogeneously in stoichiometric ratios using ball milling and cold-pressed in a 1-inch die set to form green pellets, which were then sintered in a high-temperature vacuum furnace at 1200°C. The resulting Mn2AlB2 MAB phase were characterized in terms of crystal structure, impurity, and microstructure using XRD, FESEM, and EDS.