Synthesis of a NiTi₂-AlNi-Al₂O₃ nanocomposite by mechanical alloying and heat treatment of Al-TiO₂-NiO

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the phases formed during ball milling of Al-TiO₂-NiO. For this purpose, a mixture of Al-TiO₂-NiO with a molar ratio of 6:1:1 was used. Characterization of the milled powders by X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy showed the formation of nanocrystalline NiTi₂ along with AlNi. A thermodynamical investigation confirmed that NiO was reduced by Al during ball milling, which consequently promoted TiO₂ reduction and the formation of NiTi₂. Al is capable of reducing NiO either during ball milling or at temperatures above the melting point of Al; by contrast, TiO₂ can be reduced by Al only by milling.

Keywords

mechanical alloying / NiTi₂−AlNi / nanocomposite / reaction mechanism

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