Preparation of W–Al–Mo ternary alloys by mechanical alloying

Single phase W_XAl₅₀Mo_50−X (X = 40, 30, 20 and 10) powders have been synthesized directly by mechanical alloying (MA). The structural evolutions during MA and subsequent as-milled powders by annealing at 1400 °C have been analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Different from the Mo₅₀Al₅₀ alloy, W₄₀Al₅₀Mo₁₀ and W₃₀Al₅₀Mo₂₀ alloys were stable at 1400 °C under vacuum. The results of high-pressure sintering indicated that the microhardnesses of two compositions, namely W₄₀Al₅₀Mo₁₀ and W₃₀Al₅₀Mo₂₀ alloys have higher values compared with W₅₀Al₅₀ alloy.     

Phase formation during mechanical alloying and subsequent low-temperature heat treatment of Al–27.4at%Fe–28.7at%C powders

Phase formation during high energy ball milling of a ternary elemental powder mixture with a composition of Al–27.4at%Fe–28.7at%C and during low temperature heat treatment of the milled powder was studied. It was found that an amorphous phase formed during prolonged milling. During heating the shorter time milled powder, Al and Fe reacted first, forming the AlFe phase and then at a higher temperature, AlFe reacts with Fe and C, forming the AlFe₃C_0.5 phase. During heating the longer time milled powder which contains a substantial amount of amorphous phase, the amorphous phase partially crystallizes first, forming the AlFe and AlFe₃C_0.5 phases, and then AlFe reacts with the remaining amorphous phase, forming the AlFe₃C_0.5 phase. Overall, mechanical alloying of Al, Fe and C elemental phases enables formation of an amorphous phase, while low temperature heat treatment of mechanically milled powder facilitates formation of AlFe and AlFe₃C_0.5 phases.     

Partial martensitic transformation of nanocrystalline NiAl intermetallic during mechanical alloying

Nanocrystalline NiAl intermetallic powders were synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA) in a planetary ball mill. Microstructural characterization was accomplished using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The nanocrystalline NiAl powders were formed by a gradual exothermic reaction mechanism during MA. Prolonged milling resulted in partial martensitic transformation of B2-NiAl to tetragonal L1₀-NiAl structure. It is believed that the martensitic transformation is induced by mechanical stress during MA.     

In situ nanocrystalline Fe–Si coating by mechanical alloying

A new approach for deposition of in situ nanocrystalline Fe–Si alloy coating on mild steel substrate by mechanical milling has been proposed. The thickness of nanocrystalline coating was a function of milling time and speed. Milling speed of 200 rpm was the optimum condition for development of uniform, hard, adherent and dense 200–300 μm thick nanocrystalline coating. A possible mechanism, consisting of three steps like repeated impact, cold welding and delamination, has been proposed for the formation of coating. These coatings have resulted in the increase of the hardness to almost double the value before coating.     

In situ XRD studies on Al–Ni and Al–Ni–Sr alloys prepared by rapid solidification

In this paper the structure and stability of Al–17 wt.%Ni(Al–17Ni) and Al–17 wt.%Ni–2 wt.%Sr alloys prepared by rapid solidification was investigated by means of XRD techniques. Our work demonstrates that both alloys are crystalline and composed of fcc (Al–Ni) solid solution and orthorhombic Al₃Ni phases. The ternary alloy shows in addition the presence of small amount of tetragonal Al₄Sr phase. In situ XRD experiment demonstrates the stability of the solute solution up to 650 °C, Al₃Ni above 750 °C while Al₄Sr overcomes melting of the major phases at 800 °C. High-temperature structure analysis proved strong bindings between Al and Ni atoms in Al₃Ni phase, corroborating its covalent nature, linear and faster increase of the fcc volume with annealing temperature. The linear correlation between constituting atoms decreases with increase of the temperature.The work also documents the applicability of pair distribution function (PDF) analysis to the study of multiphase crystalline systems.     

Preparation of nanocomposite alumina–Sn2Fe by mechanical alloying

Nanocomposites of Al₂O₃ and Sn₂Fe were prepared by ball milling alumina with elemental Sn and Fe. Samples were prepared with molar ratios of Al₂O₃ and Sn₂Fe of 1:1 and 2:1. Materials produced in this way have been characterized by X-ray diffraction techniques as well as ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer effect spectroscopy as a function of milling time. The nanosized grains show a distribution of particle sizes along with some residual elemental components. Preliminary investigations of electrochemical cells indicate that these materials show promise as possible electrodes for Li-ion cells.     

Structural evolution of the Ti–Al coatings produced by mechanical alloying technique

By means of the mechanical alloying (MA) method, the Ti + Al coatings were deposited on Ti alloy substrates. The structural formation of the Ti–Al coatings as a function of the milling time was studied. The thickness of coatings and their structure depended on the milling duration. At initial stage Al covered the Ti substrate. Then Ti particles were embedded in the Al matrix. Gradually the composite coating was formed. Greater plastic deformation led to the formation of the layered coating structure. Prolonged milling resulted in refinement of the particles into the nanometer scale near surface region of the Ti–Al coating.     

Structure and phase transformations in Fe–Ni–Mn alloys nanostructured by mechanical alloying

Ternary Fe₈₆Ni_xMn_14−x alloys, where x = 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 at.%, were prepared by the mechanical alloying (MA) of elemental powders in a high-energy planetary ball mill. X-ray diffraction analysis and Mössbauer spectroscopy were used to investigate the structure and phase composition of samples. Thermo-magnetic measurements were used to study the phase transformation temperatures. The MA results in the formation of bcc α-Fe and fcc γ-Fe based solid solutions, the hcp phase was not observed after MA. As-milled alloys were annealed with further cooling to ambient or liquid nitrogen temperatures. A significant decrease in martensitic points for the MA alloys was observed that was attributed to the nanocrystalline structure formation.     

Development of nano-structure Cu-Zr alloys by the mechanical alloying process

Cu-Zr alloys have many applications in electrical and welding industries for their high strength and high electrical and thermal conductivities. These alloys are among age-hardenable alloys with capability of having nano-structure with high solute contents obtainable by the mechanical alloying process. In the present work, Cu-Zr alloys have been developed by the mechanical alloying process. Pure copper powders with different amounts of 1, 3 and 6 wt% of commercial pure zirconium powders were mixed. The powder mixtures were milled in a planetary ball mill for different milling times of 4, 12, 48 and 96 h. Ball mill velocity was 250 rpm and ball to powder weight ratio was 10:1. Ethanol was used as process control agent (PCA). The milling atmosphere was protected by argon gas to prevent the oxidation of powders. The milled powders were analysed by XRD technique and were also investigated by SEM observations. Lattice parameters, crystal sizes and internal strains were calculated using XRD data and Williamson-Hall equation. Results showed that the lattice parameter of copper increased with increasing milling time. The microstructure of milled powder particles became finer at longer milling time towards nano-scale structure. SEM observations showed that powder particles took plate-like shapes. Their average size increased initially and reached a maximum value then it decreased at longer milling times. Different zirconium contents had interesting effects on the behavior of powder mixtures during milling.     

Metastable Ti---Ni---Fe---Si alloys prepared by mechanical alloying

The phase formation and physical properties of mechanically alloyed Ti₅₆Ni₁₈Fe₁₀Si₁₆ have been investigated. The as-milled samples are amorphous and undergo a transition to the icosahedral quasi-crystalline phase on annealing at about 1025 K. Mechanical alloying in the presence of an additive of 1% quasi-crystalline phase yielded the same phase directly. Alloys have been studied by X-ray diffraction. Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility methods. These results may be compared with those in the literature for amorphous and quasi-crystalline alloys of similar composition prepared by rapid solidification from the melt. In all cases the alloys produced by mechanical alloying show a greater concentration of open volume defects and in the icosahedral phase, a greater degree of disorder and largerphason strains. Hydrogen diffusion studies of these alloys have shown that the mean interatomic distance increases for short hydrogenation times, but that for longer hydrogenation times the hydrogen increases local atomic order which results in a reduction of mean interatomic distances.     

Effect of composition and milling parameters on the critical ball milling of Ti–Si–B powders

The absence of brittle phases and elevated temperature during ball milling of a powder mixture containing a large amount of ductile component can contribute to reach an excessive agglomeration denoting a critical ball milling (CBM) behavior. This work reports in the effect of composition and milling parameters on the CBM behavior of Ti–Si–B powders. High-purity elemental Ti–Si–B powder mixtures were processed in a planetary ball mill in order to prepare the Ti₆Si₂B compound and two-phase Ti + Ti₆Si₂B alloys. TiH₂ chips instead of titanium powder were used as a starting material. To avoid elevated temperature in the vials during ball milling of Ti–Si–B powders the process was interrupted after each 10 min followed by air-cooling. Following, the milled powders were hot-pressed at 900 °C for 1 h. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). Short milling times followed by air-cooling contributed to obtain a large amount of powders higher than 75% in the vials. Only Ti and TiH₂ peaks were observed in XRD patterns of Ti–Si–B and TiH₂–Si–B, respectively, suggesting that extended solid solutions were achieved. The large amount of Ti₆Si₂B and Ti + Ti₆Si₂B structures were formed during hot pressing from the mechanically alloyed Ti–Si–B and TiH₂–Si–B powders.     

X-ray diffraction study on Ni---Al---Se amorphization by mechanical alloying

In this paper, the amorphization process in mechanical alloyed Ni---Al---Se powders has been investigated by X-ray diffraction. The influence of Se on the amorphization of Ni---Al alloys, and the influence of milling time on the powder structure, microcrystallites size and phases lattice distortion are presented. Also, the Fe and Cr content from the milling medium, after 400 h, was determined.     

Synthesis of nanocrystalline NiAl by mechanical alloying

The nanocrystalline NiAl intermetallic compound was synthesized by mechanical alloying of the elemental powders. The structural changes of powder particles during mechanical alloying were studied by X-ray diffractometery, scanning electron microscopy and microhardness measurements. The mechanical alloying resulted in the gradual formation of nanocrystalline NiAl with a grain size of 20 nm. It was found that NiAl phase develops by continuous diffusive reaction at Ni/Al layers interfaces. The NiAl compound exhibited high microhardness value of about 1035 Hv.     

Characterization and formation mechanism of nanocrystalline (Fe,Ti)3Al intermetallic compound prepared by mechanical alloying

The nanocrystalline (Fe,Ti)₃Al intermetallic compound was synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA) of elemental powder with composition Fe₅₀Al₂₅Ti₂₅. The structural changes of powder particles during mechanical alloying were studied by X-ray diffractometry and microhardness measurements. Morphology and cross-sectional microstructure of powder particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that a Fe/Al/Ti layered structure was formed at the early stages of milling followed by the formation of Fe(Ti,Al) solid solution. This structure transformed to (Fe,Ti)₃Al intermetallic compound at longer milling times. Upon heat treatment of (Fe,Ti)₃Al phase the degree of DO₃ ordering was increased. The (Fe,Ti)₃Al compound exhibited high microhardness value of about 1050 Hv.     

Rapid solidification and mechanical alloying of Al–Co–Ag ternary alloys for skeletal silver cobalt synthesis

Various precursors of Al₇₅Co_xCu_20−x (x=0–7.5) ternary alloys for formation of the skeletal and metastable materials with large specific surface area were prepared by slow, rapid solidification or mechanical alloying. Their structures were examined by SEM observation, EPMA, X-ray diffraction and DSC measurements. The as-prepared structures of these alloys strongly depended on the applied processes. Three equilibrium phases of AlAg₂, Al₉Co₂ and Al were formed by slow solidification. The formation of the AlAg₂ and Al₉Co₂ phases was suppressed and the super-saturated Al monophase was obtained by rapid solidification in a wide composition range. In the case of mechanical alloying, cobalt atoms were fully dissolved in the Al phase but the formation of the AlAg₂ phase was not suppressed. It was interpreted that the precipitation of the Ag₂Al phase from the super-saturated Al phase was enhanced by plastic strain introduced during mechanical alloying. In mechanical alloying of the Al based alloys including silver, it was difficult to dissolve silver atoms into the Al phase beyond the equilibrium solubility. Rapid solidification proved to be an excellent process to prepare the precursor for chemical leaching.     

Comparative study of first hydriding of Mg–NaF and Mg–NaCl mechanical alloys

A kinetic and electron microscopy study of first hydriding of magnesium preliminary mechanically alloyed with the addition of NaF or NaCl salt has been performed. The salts have been found to modify the magnesium particle surfaces in a different way in the course of both mechanical alloying and hydriding. The action of NaCl consists in the local destruction of the oxide layer on the magnesium surface, facilitating the hydride nucleation process, whereas formation of NaMgF₃ has been observed at the very initial stages of hydriding of the Mg–NaF mechanical alloy. This ternary fluoride has been shown to play an active role in the process of first hydriding affecting the reaction kinetics and altering the overall course of the reaction.     

Fabrication of Ti-Cu-Ni-Al amorphous alloys by mechanical alloying and mechanical milling

Ti-based amorphous alloy powders were synthesized by the mechanical alloying (MA) of pure elements and the mechanical milling (MM) of intermetallic compounds. The amorphous alloy powders were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Scanning electron micrographs revealed that the vein morphology of these alloy powders shows deformation during the milling. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectral maps confirm that each constituent is uniformly dispersed, including Fe and Cr. The XRD and DSC results showed that the milling time required for amorphization for the MA of pure elements was longer than that of the MM for intermetallic compounds. The activation energy and crystallization temperature of the MA powder are different from those of the MM powder.     

Softening behaviour of nanostructured Al–14 wt% Zn alloy during mechanical alloying

Al and Zn elemental powder mixtures were subjected to high-energy milling to produce Al–14 wt% Zn alloy. The milled powders were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and microhardness measurement. The Al and Zn grain sizes were estimated from broadening of XRD peaks using Williamson–Hall formula. The results showed that in early stage of milling the solubility of Zn in Al is extended compared to the equilibrium value which is accompanied by a decrease in lattice parameter of the Al matrix. However, after longer milling times, decomposition of Al(Zn) supersaturated solid solution appeared to occur leading to an increase in Al lattice parameter and also a decrease in hardness value of as-milled powder. The final product of milling includes both Al and Zn phases having a grain size of 40 nm and 20 nm, respectively.     

Al-rich region of Al–Pd–Ru at 1000 to 1100 °C

Partial isothermal sections of the Al–Pd–Ru phase diagram at 1000, 1050 and 1100 °C are presented here. The Al–Pd orthorhombic -phases dissolve up to 15.5 at.% Ru, Al₁₃Ru₄ <2.5 at.% Pd and Al₂Ru up to 1 at.% Pd. Between 66 and 75 at.% Al, ternary quasiperiodic icosahedral phase and three cubic phases: C (, a = 0.7757 nm), C₁ (, a = 1.5532 nm) and C₂ (, a = 1.5566 nm) were revealed. An additional complex cubic structure with a ≈ 3.96 nm was found to be formed at compositions close to those of the icosahedral phase.     

Microstructural and mechanical properties of Al-Mg/Al2O3 nanocomposite prepared by mechanical alloying

The effect of milling time on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al and Al-10 wt.% Mg matrix nanocomposites reinforced with 5 wt.% Al₂O₃ during mechanical alloying was investigated. Steady-state situation was occurred in Al-10Mg/5Al₂O₃ nanocomposite after 20 h, due to solution of Mg into Al matrix, while the situation was not observed in Al/5Al₂O₃ nanocomposite at the same time. For the binary Al-Mg matrix, after 10 h, the predominant phase was an Al-Mg solid solution with an average crystallite size 34 nm. Up to 10 h, the lattice strain increased to about 0.4 and 0.66% for Al and Al-Mg matrix, respectively. The increasing of lattice parameter due to dissolution of Mg atom into Al lattice during milling was significant. By milling for 10 h the dramatic increase in microhardness (155 HV) for Al-Mg matrix nanocomposite was caused by grain refinement and solid solution formation. From 10 to 20 h, slower rate of increasing in microhardness may be attributed to the completion of alloying process, and dynamic and static recovery of powders.