Effect of synthesis method on the microstructure of a nanophase Ag - Cu alloy

Nanophase compacts synthesised by different methods are comparatively studied by means of x-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy and fractography. Experimental results reveal that the synthesis method has a strong influence on the microstructure of the resulting material. Although the same master alloy is used for the inert gas condensation (IGC) and severe plastic deformation (SPD), the microstructure of the pellet produced by SPD different from that of the IGC produced compact. The IGC+SPD compact, however, has a similar microstructure as that of the SPD compact. The local melting of the compacts at lower temperatures has been found, and is independent of the method used to synthesise the pellets.