In this paper, we deal with the oxygen displacement reactions in the Cu2O M, and CuO + M (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) systems under self propagating regimes. Me
chanically induced Self-sustaining Reactions (MSR) and conventional Self-su
staining High-temperature Synthesis (SHS) methods were employed. In the MSR
processes, heats of reaction and adiabatic temperatures were experimentall
y determined. CuO based systems showed shorter incubation periods than the
Cu2O based systems, and Zr, Ti and Hf in the order, required longer milling
treatment to ignite. The use of appropriate methodologies, to evaluate the
milling dynamics parameters, permitted to relate the observed features to
the intrinsic reactivity of the components and to the role of interfacial c
onditions and deformation mixing. Similar reactivity behaviours were observ
ed under SHS conditions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved
.