The influence of initial powder properties on the mechanical alloying process and the final powders structure

Purpose: The main aim of this work is to study the influence of initial powder properties on the mechanical alloying process and final powders structure and the production of chosen powder alloy by mechanical alloying method. Design/methodology/approach: The test material was the pure niobium, tin and copper powders. The powders were ground for 2 and 10 hrs. The mechanical alloying process was conducted in a high energy SPEX mill under inert argon atmosphere. The chemical constitution and concentration of particular component were studied by X-ray microanalysis. The changes of the powder structure were tested by means of the X-ray diffractometer. The thermal properties of the chosen powder alloy were examined by DSC method. Findings: Based on the presented experiment results it is clear that initial powder properties have a large influence on the final powders structure. Most of changes during milling are connected with process parameters and powder properties. Research limitations/implications: The mechanical alloying technique makes it possible to obtain Nb3Sn phase but only on a laboratory scale. This is the basic research in the powder metallurgy experiment field. Further investigations should be concentrated on the developing of refinement particles during ball milling, production of the composites and powder consolidation method. Practical implications: The experiments in this work supply knowledge of ductile and less ductile powders behaviour in mechanical alloying process. This knowledge can be used in powder metallurgy technique. Originality/value: The obtained investigation result confirm the different course of mechanical alloying process in dependence on powder particles. The synthesis of ductile and brittle powder gives possibility for the development of strengthening new composites by reinforcement particles.