Nanocrystallization of Al88Ni10Nd2 alloy by mechanical alloying

Abstract

In the present study, elemental mixtures of Al, Ni and Nd powders with nominal compositions of Al88Ni10Nd2 was mechanically alloyed for times up 110 h yields amorphous or nanocrystalline products. Structural changes and thermal behaviour of the mechanically alloyed powders at different stages of milling have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRD, DSC and SEM results showed that solid state reaction occurred during mechanical alloying and nano-intermetallic compounds of the Al88Ni10Nd2 powders can be obtained. Microstructure of the mechanically alloyed Al88Ni10Nd2 powder indicates the formation of fine nanoparticles with a size of about 10-20 nm. However, no amorphous phase has been obtained in Al88Ni10Nd2 powders after milled for times up 110 h.