Mechanically Alloyed, Metastable and Nanocrystalline Materials

Book excerpt: There is a growing interest in the field of Mechanically Alloyed, Metastable and Nanocrystalline Materials, especially with regard to linking basic research efforts to technological requirements of industrial applications. A major objective of the present book was to ensure that the various disciplines involved in the study, development and commercialization of these materials were well represented. The technical objective was to address key issues which are associated with the science and technology of this rapidly evolving field of research. The major topics covered include the synthesis and processing of metals, intermetallics, oxides, polymers, nanocomposites and other materials; characterization; thermodynamics and modeling; mechanisms and kinetics of loss of metastability and coarsening; mechanical, magnetic, catalytic and other properties, and applications. This comprehensive publication comprises 165 peer-reviewed papers. Part 1: INTRODUCTION. I. SYNTHESIS AND PROCESSING. 1. Mechanical Alloying and Milling. 2. Structural Evolution during Milling. 3. Consolidation and Sintering. 4. Mechanochemistry. 5. Physical and Chemical Routes. II. CHARACTERISATION. Part 2: III. THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETICS. 1. Thermodynamics and Metastable Phases. 2. Mechanisms, Modelling and Simulation. 3. Crystallization. IV. PROPERTIES. 1. Catalytic. 2. Electrochemical and Electrical. 3. Magnetic. 4. Mechanical. 5. Other. V. NEAR AND LONG TERM APPLICATIONS.