Effect of High-Energy Ball Milling on Structure and Properties of Some Intermetallic Alloys: A Mini Review

Currently, lightweight materials and structures are potentially required for economical aspects. A major preoccupation of engineers and materials scientists is to create and to develop existing materials to satisfy the rising needs of industries and population. It is well known that intermetallic compounds, such as aluminides, are used for a wide range of applications, due to their superior properties. These materials are generally produced through conventional manufacturing routes: melting, casting, powder grinding, and consolidation by hot pressing. However, these methods are inapplicable to the elaboration of some intermetallic alloys. The solid-state reaction of mechanical alloying makes it a processing way of choice for alloying elements that are difficult or impossible to combine by conventional melting methods. On the other hand, MA process seems to be a simple and cost-effective technique for improving structural and magnetic properties of intermetallic alloys. Within this context, this paper provides an overview of the experimental investigations performed on mechanical alloying/milling of gamma-TiAl, tau-MnAl, and B2-RuAl intermetallic alloys.