Fast amorphization reaction in ZrNi system prepared by mechanical alloying

The amorphous phase of ZrNi system was obtained by mechanical alloying (MA) of elemental crystalline powders in an inert atmosphere. The time required to achieve the amorphous state was 5 h. In contrast with all previous reports on this system, this amorphization time is considerably shorter. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements were used to assess the amorphous state. Moreover, the comparison of the ZrNi alloy produced by MA with another prepared by fast quenching (FQ) confirmed that the final structure of the MA sample is fully amorphous. The reduced radial distribution function G(r) obtained by a Fourier transform of the structure factor S(Q) showed that a single amorphous phase formed at the end of the amorphization reaction. Further MA results in the recrystallization of the ZrNi alloy. Recrystallization takes place at a milling time even shorter than any reported milling time to obtain an amorphous phase in this system.