Phase formation regularities in nanometer powders of Al-Cu-X ternary alloys prepared by gas evaporation process

The phase formation regularities in nanometer powders of ternary alloys prepared by gas evaporation process with induction current as the heating source were investigated. Al Cu Mn and Al Cu Cr were chosen as the samples in this study. The experimental results show that the necessary conditions for forming ternary compound phases in a ternary alloy nanometer powder are that they must be able to form in a conventional bulk alloy. To obtain a ternary compound phase in nanometer powders, composition of the master alloy must be in a certain range. Changing the composition of the master alloy and evaporation temperature can control the kinds of the phases and their relative amount in the alloy nanometer powders. In present study, AlMn, Al 8Mn 5 and AlCu 2Mn phases formed in as prepared nanometer powders of Al Cu Mn alloy, and the highest relative amount of AlCu 2Mn phase is about 99%. In nanometer powders of Al Cu Cr alloy, Cu 9Al 4, Al 2Cu 3, AlCr 2 and Al 13 Cr 2 phases formed without any ternary compound phase.