Evolution of structure, microstructure and hyperfine properties of nanocrystalline Fe50Co50 powders prepared by mechanical alloying

Nanostructured Fe50Co50 powders were prepared by mechanical alloying of Fe and Co elements in a vario-planetary high-energy ball mill. The structural properties, morphology changes and local iron environment variations were investigated as a function of milling time (in the 0–200 h range) by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. The complete formation of bcc Fe50Co50 solid solution is observed after 100 h milling. As the milling time increases from 0 to 200 h, the lattice parameter decreases from 0.28655 nm for pure Fe to 0.28523 nm, the grain size decreases from 150 to 14 nm, while the meal level of strain increases from 0.0069% to 1.36%. The powder particle morphology at different stages of formation was observed by SEM. The parameters derived from the Mössbauer spectra confirm the beginning of the formation of Fe50Co50 phase at 43 h of milling. After 200 h of milling the average hyperfine magnetic field of 35 T suggests that a disordered bcc Fe–Co solid solution is formed.

► Nanostructured Fe50Co50 powders were successfully prepared by mechanical alloying process.
► Final average grain size value achieved after 200 h of milling was 14 nm.
► For the longest milling time the majority of particle grains observed by SEM exhibits a round shape with small diameter.