MECHANICAL ALLOYING IN THE FE-CU SYSTEM

The studies of mechanical alloying on the Fe-Cu system, as a model sys tem for those with positive heats of mixing, are reviewed. Several pro blems involved in the mechanical alloying process are discussed. For e xample, (1) whether alloying occurs on an atomic level; (2) what the s olid solubility in the Fe-Cu system is; (3) where the positive energy is stored in the alloys; (4) what the decomposition process of the sup ersaturated alloys is; and (5) what type of magnetic properties the ne w materials have. The elucidation of these problems will shed light on the understanding of the mechanisms for the preparation of materials under highly son-equilibrium conditions in systems with positive heats of mixing by mechanical alloying. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.