Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline Cu–Al coatings

Commercially pure Cu and Al powders were blended in a 90:10 ratio by weight and then mechanically milled in methanol or in liquid nitrogen. The milled powders, as well as as-blended (non-milled) powder, were deposited as coatings using high velocity oxygen fuel thermal spraying. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques were used to investigate the microstructure of the powders and coatings. The results showed that milling of the powders in methanol induced the conversion of most of the Al into amorphous Al2O3, precluding the desired mechanical alloying. This experimental observation was consistent with available thermodynamic data. In contrast, cryomilling exhibited no significant oxidation and induced mechanical alloying of the powders, albeit incomplete. The non-milled powder generated a coating with a bimodal grain structure consisting of fine Cu grains and coarse Al grains. Amorphous oxide regions and coarse Al grains were observed intermixed with the finer Cu matrix in the coatings sprayed using the powders milled in methanol. Coatings based on cryomilled powders consisted primarily of equiaxed Cu grains and twinned martensite regions, with occasional inclusion of elongated amorphous Al2O3 regions.