Phase formation regularities of ultrafine TiAl, NiAl and FeAl intermetallic compound powders during solid–liquid reaction milling

TiAl, NiAl and FeAl system intermetallic compound nanometer powders were prepared by a novel patent solid–liquid reaction milling technology. TiAl3, Ni2Al3, NiAl3, Fe2Al5, FeAl2, Fe3Al, FeAl powders with particle size less than 100 nm were obtained, respectively. The phase formation regularities of these alloy systems during milling under various conditions were investigated. The influence of PCAs on the solid–liquid reaction milling process was examined. The results indicate that the added PCAs can reduce the bonding between the balls and the melt, and restrain the powder from agglomeration during milling. Moreover, the results of solid–liquid reaction milling were compared with that obtained by mechanical alloying processing under the similar conditions. The results show that solid–liquid milling is an effective method to prepare ultrafine intermetallic compound powders.