Study of the mechanism of amorphization by mechanical alloying

Amorphous Ni sub chi Nb sub chi-1 powders were prepared by mechanical alloying for 0.2 smaller than chi smaller than 0.8. The structural refinement during milling was studied by optical and electron microscopic examinations. The data are in good agreement with Benjamin's model. Transmission electron micrographs give the first direct evidence that the mechanisms of amorphization by mechanical alloying is governed by a solid state interdiffusion reaction. (IFAM)