Hydrogenation of a Magnesium–Mg2Yb Alloy

A possibility for hydrogenation of a two-phase magnesium alloy containing intermetallic compound Mg2Yb by hydrogen and ammonia is found to yield hydride phases MgH2 and MgYbH3.5 in various temperature schedules. The use of ammonia in the range 350–500°C leads to the formation of magnesium and ytterbium nitrides.