Kinetics of the Initial Stage of Mechanical Alloying in the Fe(80)Zr(20) System

The kinetics of the initial stage of mechanical alloying in the Fe/Zr system (80 : 20 at. %) was studied using X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. The stage of structural disordering of the mixture is shown to proceed quickly and end by a dose of 9 kJ g^–1. Further, intense formation of the amorphous phase takes place; as the dose of 16 kJ g^–1 is reached, all zirconium contained in the initial mixture passes into this phase, and its amount does not grow any more. The composition of the amorphous phase corresponds to Fe₇₃Zr₂₇ and remains constant throughout the mechanical processing up to a dose of 25 kJ g^–1. Annealing of the reaction mixture at 700°C results in decomposition of the amorphous phase and formation of an intermetallic with the composition and structure corresponding to Fe₂₃Zr₆. No contamination of the mixture by the material of the balls and vessel during mechanical treatment was detected.