Displacement reactions during mechanical alloying

Abstract

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 fine..