Development of a Thermodynamic Criterion to Predict the Alloy Compositions for Amorphous and Nanocrystalline Phase Formation during Mechanical Alloying

Recent studies indicate that the existing criteria for amorphous phase formation are not precise. This study emphasizes that the extent of deviation from the linear relationship of the chemical contribution to enthalpy of the solid solution with the enthalpy difference between the amorphous phase and the constituent elements is a measure of tendency to bypass amorphous phase formation. Mechanical alloying experiments on a number of compositions in Al-Ni-Ti system showed that the compositions, not following the aforesaid relation, yield partial or no amorphization.