Mechanical Activation of Nb75Al Mixtures Using Shaker and Planetary Ball Mills

Abstract

Different types of high-energy ball mills can be applied to promote mechanical activation of powders mixtures for further combustion synthesis of intermetallic compounds. In this work, Nb75Al powder mixtures (for NbAl 3 synthesis) were mechanically activated in shaker and planetary mills by 1 and 3 hours. Remarkable differences in shape and microstructure of the activated powders resulted in distinct reaction behaviors (e.g. ignition and combustion temperatures). Temperature profile of the samples during the reaction showed that mechanical activation was higher in the shaker mill. Higher densities were obtained with samples activated in shaker mill by 1h.