Synthesis and Sintering of ZrNiSn-based Half-Heusler Compounds

In contrary to the commonly used arc melting method, samples in the present paper were prepared by the solid state reaction from elemental powders at 1173 K under a flowing Ar atmosphere for 96-168 h. The constituent phases and the elemental compositions were determined and shown that the samples were of single phase and stoichiometry. Then the spark plasma sintering technique was used to consolidate them. It is found that, dense ZrNiSn-based compounds with fine grain size and homogeneous microstructure were achieved under the condition of 1123 K/40 MPa/25 min.