Formation of Nb3Sn using mechanically alloyed Nb-Sn powder

Nb3Sn was processed via mechanical alloying (MA). The powder mixture comprising of stoichiometric proportions of elemental niobium and tin powder was mechanically alloyed (MA'd) for three hours and the MA'd powder mixture was heat-treated. While MA resulted in Nb-Sn solid solution, the reaction leading to the formation of Nb3Sn occurs' during the subsequent heat-treatment of the powder mixture. (C) 2004 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.