Study of the Nanometric Grain Size Distribution in Iron Compacts Obtained by Mechanical Milling

Abstract:

A study has been carried out on the grain size distribution of cylindrical compacts obtained by consolidation of iron powder severely deformed by mechanical milling. Consolidation has been performed in two consecutive steps: cold and hot conditions. The hot one was done at two temperatures, namely 425 and 475°C. After milling, the iron powder has a grain size of 8 nm (± 4 nm) with an average hardness of 800 HV. After hot compaction the grain size increases up to 50 nm, especially at 475°C where a small fraction of grains reach larger values than the average. The grain size was evaluated by two different techniques, X-Ray Diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Results showed some differences between both methods. The advantage of using TEM is that grain size distribution, and not only the average size, can be obtained. Small discs were also obtained from the compacted specimen in order to fracture them on a “ball on three balls” equipment. The fracture behaviour of the samples was then studied by SEM.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volumes 503-504)
• Pages: 1007-1012
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.503-504.1007
• Online since: January 2006
• Authors: Jordi Lluma, Josep Antonio Benito, Antoni Roca, Jose María Cabrera, Jose Manuel Prado
• Keywords: Grain Size Distribution, Iron Powder, Mechanical Milling

References

[1] J. Rawers and R. Krabbe: J. Mater. Synth. and Process. Vol. 6, 1998, p.133.

[2] T.R. Mallow and C.C. Koch: Acta Mater., Vol. 45, 1997, p.2177.

[3] E. Ma: Powder. Metall., Vol. 43, 2000, p.306.

[4] Y.M. Wang and E. Ma: Mater. Sci and Eng. A, Vol. 375-377, 2004, p.46.

[5] D. Jia, K.T. Ramesh and E. Ma: Acta Mater., Vol. 51, 2003, p.3495.

[6] A. Khan, H. Zhang, H. Takacs: Int. Journal Plasticity, Vol. 16, 2000, p.1459.

[7] T.R. Mallow and C.C. Koch: Acta Mater., Vol. 46, 1998, p.6459.

[8] A. Borger, P. Supancic and R. Danzer : Journal Eur. Cer. Soc., Vol. 22, 2002, p.1425.

[9] Y. Yin, M. Umemoto, K. Tsuchiya, ISIJ Int, Vol. 41, 2001, p.1389.

[10] A. López, E. Arias, J. A Benito, A. Roca, J. M. Cabrera and J.M. Prado: VIII Congreso Nacional de Materiales, Servei Publicacions de la UPV, Valencia 2004, p.359.

[11] A. Guinier: X-Ray diffraction, Ed. W. H. Freeman and Co, (1963), p.121.

[12] G.K. Williamson and W.H. Hall: Acta Metall. Vol. 1, 1953, p.22.

[13] A. Villuendas, J. Llumà, J.A. Benito, A. Roca, J.M. Cabrera and J.M. Prado: Anales Mecánica de la Fractura, nº 22, 2005, p.514.

[14] A. Borger, P. Supancic and R. Danzer, Journal Eur. Cer. Soc., Vol. 24, 2004, p.2917.

[15] M. Murayama, J.M. Howe, H. Hidaka and S. Takaki: ISIJ Int., Vol. 43, 2003, p.755.