Preparation of nanocrystalline alloys by mechanical alloying carried out at elevated temperatures

摘要

A process is described for preparing a nanocrystalline powder of an alloy of at least two metals by an intensive mechanical grinding step performed upon powders of the metals which make up the alloy. The grinding is performed at atmospheric pressure under an inert atmosphere, and is carried out at a temperature in the range of 100-400. degree. C. In this manner, one obtains crystallites of the alloy having a grain size lower than 100 nm by grinding for a period of time lower by about an order of magnitude than the time necessary to achieve this grain size by a similar grinding step carried out at ambient temperature.