Composite Ta-Cu powders prepared by high energy milling

A mixture of Ta and 20 wt%Cu elemental powders were milled in a high energy mill under two conditions of milling intensity. Composite particles in both conditions were formed. The original Ta particles were firstly fragmented and then pierced in the deformed Cu particles. Cu hardens due to cold work and breaks. The final powder is finer than the initial powders. The final composite particles are homogeneous and consist of amorphous, separated Cu and Ta phases. The more intense milling condition produced composite particles with shorter milling time and amorphization of both phases after 50 h of milling. The less intense milling condition amorphized only the Cu phase. The composite particles can produce denser structures than mixed powders, if heated above the Cu melting point. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.