Synthesis of Amorphous Ti50Al50 by Mechanical Alloying

Abstract

Blended elemental powders with the nominal compositions (at%) of Ti50Al50, was mechanically alloyed in a planetary ball milling system for up to 100h, an amorphous Ti50Al50 phase was obtained in the process. The amorphization process as a function of time of milling was monitored by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. It is shown that, as first, Al atoms diffuse into the host lattice of hexagonal Ti; subsequently, the milling accumulates a critical density of disorder that causes the Ti (Al) crystalline phase to collapse into an amorphous phase, it is suggested the grain size condition for formation of amorphous phase is 12nm. On the basis of thermodynamic models, the formation of the amorphous phase is discussed.