Mechanical alloying of aluminium alloys

Abstract

Mechanical alloying is a solid-state powder processing technique that has revolutionized the development of advanced materials, including aluminium alloys. This chapter provides a concise overview of the key aspects of mechanical alloying applied to aluminium alloys, exploring its principles, advantages, and potential applications. The process of mechanical alloying involves subjecting aluminium powder and alloying elements to intense mechanical deformation using a high-energy ball mill. This results in repeated welding, fracturing, and cold welding of particles, leading to the creation of a homogenous and fine-grained microstructure. The alloying mechanisms encompass solid-state diffusion and deformation-induced mixing, facilitating the uniform dispersion of alloying elements within the aluminium matrix. Mechanical alloying has several distinct advantages over conventional alloying methods. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.