Synthesis of nanocrystalline Li₂-Al₃Ti and Al₃Zr by mechanical alloying

Abstract

The paper reports the synthesis of nanocrystalline Li₂-Al₃Ti and Al₃Zr by mechanical alloying of elemental blends. The influence of Cu and Cr in stabilizing the Li₂-Al₃Ti has been studied. Cu appears to be better than Cr in stabilizing Li₂-Al₃Ti in the milled condition. However, the results of annealing in the temperature range of 823-1073K indicate that the Li₂-Al₃Ti phase is stable up to higher temperature in case of Cr containing alloy in comparison to that containing Cu. In the as milled Li₂-Al₃Ti sample, SUBerlattice reflections were not observed and even annealing up to 1273K the alloy does not show them, which has been attributed to the nanocrystalline nature of the phase and the low relative intensity of SUBerlattice peaks of Li₂-Al₃Ti phase even in the fully ordered structure. In contrast, nanocrystalline Li₂-Al₃Zr has been easily synthesised directly by mechanical alloying from elemental blends.