Morphology and microhardness of Cu-Al powder mixture depending on duration of high-energy ball milling

The effect of high-energy ball milling duration on the morphology and microhardness of Cu-Al powder mixture, characterized by high relaxation capacity of the components, is studied. It is shown that as early as in the primary processing stage the initial powder particles are combined into plate-shaped conglomerates. A longer ball milling duration promotes the consolidation and compaction of the conglomerates. It is found out that these processes are accompanied by the formation of a solid solution of aluminum in copper with a subsequent formation of ordered phases. A transformation of the structural-phase state of the powder mixture causes a significant increase in its microhardness.