PRODUCTION OF ULTRAFINE POWDERS OF BI-SB SOLID-SOLUTION

Investigations of the synthesis and consolidation of bismuth-antimony alloys submicrometric powders were performed. Powders containing from 6 to 20 atomic percent of antimony were prepared by evaporation of Bi- Sb pre-alloyed targets using are energy under argon-hydrogen atmospher e. Chemical analyses, EDS analyses, morphological and microstructural studies were performed on the product powders. The influence of the ev aporation parameters on the powder generation yield and the local chem ical composition of the powders was studied. We show that the control of the powder permits adjustment in;he powder particle size from 25 nm to 0.8 mu m. Finally, we present the influence of the ultrafine powde r morphology on the microstructure of bulk alloys prepared by cold pre ssing powders.