Mechanically induced cation redistribution in magnesium ferrite and its thermal stability

Abstract The changes in magnesium ferrite (MgFe 2 O 4 ) caused by high-energy milling are investigated. Mechanical treatment reduces the average crystallite size of MgFe 2 O 4 to the nanometer range and induces cation redistribution between tetrahedral and octahedral sites. The degree of inversion of the mechanically treated ferrite is compared with that of MgFe 2 O 4 quenched from high temperatures. The range of thermal stability of mechanically induced metastable states is determined by studying the response of the metastable mechanically activated MgFe 2 O 4 to changes in temperature.