Microstructure/phase evolution in mechanical alloying/milling of stainless steel and aluminum powder blends

Abstract

The present study aims to examine the phase evolution in blends comprising different proportions of stainless steel (316SS) and Al (0, 25, 65, and 85 wt pct) powders during high-energy ball milling through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). An attempt has also been made to study the hardness value of the bulk samples obtained by hot pressing the ball-milled powder blend at suitable temperature and pressure. The results on changes in the constituent phases and hardness value of the bulk samples obtained after consolidation of ball-milled alloy using the high-pressure technique have been reported.