Light alloys based on magnesium are widely used in most areas of science and technology. However, magnesium powder alloys are quite difficult to sinter due to the stable film of oxides that counteracts diffusion. Therefore, finding a method to activate magnesium sintering is urgent. This study examines the effect of adding 5 wt. % and 10 wt. % zinc to the sintering pattern of magnesium powders at 430 °C; a dwell of 30 min was used to homogenize at the densification’s temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the alloy’s microstructure, while the phase composition was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS). The sintering densities of Mg–5Zn and Mg–10Zn were found to be 88% and 92%, respectively. The results show that after sintering, a heterophase structure of the alloy is formed based on a solid solution and phases MgZn and Mg₅₀Zn₂₁. To establish the sintering mechanism, the interaction at the MgO and Zn melt phase interface was analyzed using the sessile drop method. The minimum contact angle—65°—was discovered at 500 °C with a 20 min holding time. It was demonstrated that the sintering process in the Mg–Zn system proceeds through the following stages: (1) penetration of zinc into oxide-free surfaces; (2) crystallization of a solid solution, intermetallics; and (3) the removal of magnesium oxide from the particle surface, with oxide particles deposited on the surface of the sample.

This study reports, for the first time, the oxidation behavior of Ta-free (Mo, W, Ti, Nb)Si2 in air up to 1400 ºC. The material, produced by spark-plasma sintering at 1450 ºC and 60 MPa (porosity ~4.5 %), consists of a C40-type high-entropy disilicide matrix with minor C11b (W, Mo)Si2. DSC/TGA and non-isothermal furnaces oxidation tests at 600-1400 ºC, combined XRD and SEM/EDS showed that oxidation starts at ~270 ºC without pest degradation or mass loss, the total mass gain not exceeding ~2.3 %. A four-stage mechanism was proposed. Ti and Nb oxidize preferentially, forming a silica-rich scale with rutile-type (Ti, Nb)O2, while a transient Nb-W-O phase binds W and prevents WO3 volatilization. Above 1200 ºC a continuous ~10 µm SiO2-based scale provides passive protection. Ti does not degrade oxidation resistance, and the combination of Nb, W and Ti can partly replace Ta in high-entropy disilicides.

A FeCoNiCu high-entropy alloy was synthesized via mechanical alloying using elemental powders. The structural evolution during milling and the effects of subsequent sintering were investigated. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of a single-phase FCC solid solution with nanocrystalline structure. SEM and EDS analyses showed homogeneous element distribution without segregation. Microhardness testing revealed an average value of 105.47 HV1, indicating sufficient mechanical performance. The results demonstrate the potential of FeCoNiCu HEAs for structural applications.