Alloying evolution and stability of Al65Cu20Ti15 during process of amorphisation by high energy ball milling

Mechanical alloying of Al65Cu20Ti15 powder blend has been carried out by high energy vibrating ball mill. The process of amorphisation in the mechanically alloyed Al65Cu20Ti15 powder and the stability of the amorphous phase during ball milling were investigated. Almost completely amorphous powder was achieved after 25 h ball milling. Examination of the microstructural constituents using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy shows that the amorphisation process was controlled by the transformation of both Al based solid solution and intermetallic compounds (Al2Cu, Cu9Al4 and AlCu2Ti). However, that prolonging the ball milling time to 30 h led to the appearance of Cu9Al4, the Al65Cu20Ti15 composite comprising nanocrystalline and amorphous phases could be stable after 50 h ball milling.