Nanoindentation behavior of bulk metastable Al65Cu20Ti15 alloy prepared by consolidation of the ball milled powder

Present study concerns assessment of nanomechanical property in the bulk Al65Cu20Ti15 alloy with varying microstructure synthesized by consolidation of mechanically alloyed powder at different temperature. The microstructure after consolidation at room temperature and 500 °C exhibits completely amorphous and nanocrystalline states respectively. Nanoindentation experiments suggest that the maximum strength and hardness values are achieved in the sample sintered at 450 °C. The corresponding microstructure revealed dispersion of nanocrystalline intermetallic phase (<50 nm) in the amorphous matrix.