Synthesis of nanocrystalline materials - an overview

This paper reviews research work at the Institute for Materials and Advance d Processes (IMAP), University of Idaho, on the synthesis of nanocrystallin e materials and their consolidation, Nanocrystalline materials have been sy nthesized by a number of far from equilibrium processes. including mechanic al alloying (MA). mechanochemical processing (MCP), supercritical fluid pro cessing (SCFP), and severe plastic deformation (SPD). Examples of the mater ials include the Ti-Al based intermetallic compounds and composites produce d by MA and SPD, Ti base alloys and metal carbides synthesized by MCP, thin film Cu produced by SCFP, and Al-Fe alloys produced by SPD. Details of the processes used and the enhancement of properties due to the nanoscale stru ctures in consolidated material will be presented. The potential of these p rocesses to substitute for conventional methods of production will also be discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.