Correlation between milling parameters and microstructure characteristics of nanocrystalline copper powder prepared via a high energy planetary ball mill

The microstructure evolution of Cu-nanostructured powders versus the ball milling conditions was investigated by whole peak profile powder pattern modeling method. This method allows defining in some approach the characteristics of as-milled Cu powder microstructure in terms of crystallite size, type and density of dislocations and twin faults density. It is shown that the change of microstructure characteristics of as-milled Cu powder versus the ball milling conditions (under constant time of the ball milling) depend on only some energy parameters of the milling, for example, average size of crystallite is uniquely defined by energy of the shock, whereas the portion of edge and screw components of dislocation structures depend on a ratio between normal and tangential components of shock. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.