DISPLACEMENT-REACTIONS DURING MECHANICAL ALLOYING

The occurrence of simple solid-state displacement reactions during mechanical alloying has been investigated. The reduction of cupric oxide to pure copper metal by a variety of metallic reducing agents was studied, and the powders were examined by X-ray diffractometry and electron microscopy. When milled with a liquid process control agent, the reaction progressed gradually with time, whereas an unstable combustion reaction occurred when no such control agent was employed. A minimum adiabatic temperature of 1300 K is necessary for combustion to occur in these systems. The reaction enthalpy is an important factor in determining the precombustion period. The as-milled powders consisted of finely divided, nanometer-sized crystallites with an extremely high defect density. It is proposed that the increased reactivity of the system arises through the unique conditions prevailing during mechanical alloying. © 1990 The Metallurgical of Society of AIME.