High-pressure alloying of iron and magnesium

Study of the Earth’s outer core is essential to understand the evolution and current dynamics of our planet. The liquid metallic outer core is about 10% less dense than pure iron, implying that some lighter elements are mixed with iron. Could magnesium be one of these? New studies at the ESRF have shown that magnesium can alloy with iron at high temperature and pressure.

Further information:

• Ref.: N. Dubrovinskaia et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 245502 (2005).