MECHANICAL ALLOYING OF AL-TI POWDER MIXTURES AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT CONSOLIDATION

Mechanically alloyed mixtures of elemental Al and Ti powders have been characterized in the as-milled condition, as well as after hot consolidation. Ball-milling in an argon atmosphere first induces alloying of the elements, followed by the formation of a certain amount of an amorphous-like phase. This amount increases as the equiatomic composition is approached. However, milling in nonsealed mills usually leads to the production of some form of titanium nitride, particularly in Ti-rich mixtures. In the consolidated products obtained from long-milled powders, intermetallic compounds were found to be the predominant phases. The existence of an amorphous phase in the as-milled powders considerably facilitates their hot consolidation.