A study of amorphization of crystalline Ag_0·5Cu_0·5 during ball-milling

Abstract

Amorphous Ag_0·5Cu_0·5 has been prepared by milling elemental Ag and Cu in a high-speed ball mill. The product was analysed by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effects of the environment and of the temperature of amorphization have been investigated, and the evolution of the amorphous mixture was examined for a period of 72 h. The development of the amorphous phase, which is characterized by a broad shoulder in the X-ray diffractogram, is confirmed by the DSC analysis. The presence of oxygen significantly affects the amorphization of crystals. Crystallization of the amorphous powder occurred over a range of temperature. The crystalline products formed have been identified from their X-ray diffractograms.