MECHANICAL ALLOYING OF AL-TI POWDER MIXTURES AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT CONSOLIDATION

Mechanically alloyed mixtures of elemental Al and Ti powders have been characterized in the as-milled condition, as well as after hot consol idation. Ball-milling in an argon atmosphere first induces alloying of the elements, followed by the formation of a certain amount of an amo rphous-like phase. This amount increases as the equiatomic composition is approached. However, milling in nonsealed mills usually leads to t he production of some form of titanium nitride, particularly in Ti-ric h mixtures. In the consolidated products obtained from long-milled pow ders, intermetallic compounds were found to be the predominant phases. The existence of an amorphous phase in the as-milled powders consider ably facilitates their hot consolidation.