In this research, samples of an alloy with a bimodal structure were studied on the basis of a previously developed technology for obtaining hydrogen storage materials based on the Ti-Al-Nb system. The results of SPS of mechanically activated powder mixtures of the Ti-Al-Nb system at a temperature of 1300 °C make it possible to obtain an alloy with a predominantly bimodal structure. However, an insignificant presence of TiAl₃, AlNb₂ phases, and unreacted niobium is still observed in the structure. The mechanical properties of alloys of the Ti-Al-Nb system after sintering show abnormally low values of strength and ductility (less than 150 MPa). Two-stage heat treatment of alloys of the Ti-Al-Nb system leads to the decomposition of large precipitates of TiAl₃ with the formation of O-phase nuclei, as well as to the complete dissolution of unreacted niobium and AlNb₂ phases. Heat treatment of alloys of the Ti-Al-Nb system contributes to an increase in its strength by approximately 10 times (1310 MPa, MA-180), and ductility by 2 times (1322 MPa, MA-20). The surface fracture of samples obtained after testing is characterized by intergranular (intercrystalline) brittle fracture with “river” or “step” features.

The present study focuses on investigating the evolution of phase transformations in the Mg-Ni-Ce system under the influence of mechanical synthesis (MS) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). Magnesium powder mixtures with different nickel and cerium contents (Mg-3%Ni-2%Ce, Mg-7%Ni-3%Ce, and Mg-10%Ni-5%Ce) were mechanically activated along with various grinding parameters. The X-ray phase analysis (XRD) has shown the successive stages of the phase formation in the MS process: from the initial components to the formation of intermetallic compounds of Mg₂Ni, Mg₁₂Ni₆, and CeMg₃. An increase in the intensity of mechanical treatment facilitated the accelerated destruction of the crystal lattice, the generation of defects, and the formation of new phases, as evidenced by the broadening and reduction in the intensity of Mg diffraction peaks. The subsequent SPS stage promoted the completion of phase transformations, structural stabilization, and the formation of a dense, multicomponent microstructure with a uniform distribution of intermetallic compounds. The observed average crystallite sizes ranged from 20 to 70 nm, depending on the processing conditions. The research results demonstrate the possibility of targeted control over the phase composition, opening new opportunities for the development of highly efficient hydrogen-absorbing alloys.

Due to the depletion of hydrocarbon resources worldwide, intensive research is being conducted to identify alternative energy carriers. Hydrogen has emerged as a promising candidate due to its high energy density and environmentally friendly nature. However, large-scale implementation of hydrogen energy is hindered by the lack of safe, efficient, and cost-effective storage methods. Among the various materials studied for solid-state hydrogen storage, boron nitride (BN)-based compounds have attracted significant attention owing to their high thermal stability, tunable morphology, and potential for physisorption-based storage. This review focuses on recent advances in the synthesis, functionalization, and structural optimization of BN-based materials, including nanotubes, nanosheets, porous frameworks, and chemically modified BN. Although other boron-containing hydrides such as LiBH₄, Mg(BH₄)₂, and closo-borates are briefly mentioned for comparison, the primary emphasis is placed on BN-related systems. This paper discusses various modification strategies aimed at enhancing hydrogen uptake and reversibility, offering insights into the future potential of BN-based materials in hydrogen storage technologies.

This paper is devoted to the creation of an information and analytical system (IAS) which is under development to manage the data obtained in experiments and investigations to justify the safety of atomic energy, which the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan (RSE NNC RK) has been conducting for over 30 years. The main components of the IAS determining its consumer capabilities is an analytical unit that will allow the creation of programs for planned experiments in view of the technical requirements for them and based on the results of previous experiments, generalized and consolidated by processing and comparison tools provided by the IAS. An important component of the IAS is a set of tools for the predictive calculation of the temperature of materials of test sections depending on a given change in the power of energy release in them, predictive calculation of the required power of energy release in materials depending on a given change in their temperature, formation of arrays of experimental information in digital format and graphical form, comparison of experiments and their data among themselves, and the formation of protocols of experiments with the possibility of choosing specific data and methods for their processing. It should be noted that the created IAS greatly simplifies the preparation for experiments.

Friction coefficients and wear resistance are determined, and the x-ray phase composition of experimental samples of obtained material on the basis of silicon and carbon is studied in this paper. Secondary products of the industry were used as initial powder to conduct spark plasma sintering. The composition of burden used for sintering, which was 75% of the mass of silicon and 25% of the mass of graphite (carbon basis), was determined by calculation. Studied samples were obtained by spark plasma sintering method. Based on the analysis of results of the phase composition of the samples obtained by spark plasma sintering method using secondary products of the industry as the initial components, the following conclusions can be made: - It was found that all samples obtained by the method of spark plasma sintering consist of the following phases: The phase of metallic silicon (cubic crystal lattice), the phase of graphite (hexagonal crystal lattice), the phase of silicon carbide with cubic and hexagonal lattice and have a low coefficient of friction; - It was determined that the mass fraction of the silicon carbide phase content is from 20 to 30% depending on the heating temperature; - It was found that the increase in the sintering temperature of the samples have a beneficial effect on the wear intensity of obtained ceramic material; - It was found that from the obtained samples of carbide silicon ceramics the wear resistance of the material increases and the friction coefficient and wear decrease due to an increase in the mass fraction of the carbide phase, that is, a more dense frame is formed. Based on the above, we can say that with an increase in the sintering temperature, the interaction of powder components forms a more stable frame of silicon carbide, which is proved by conducted phase analysis.