Amorphization mechanisms of NiZr2 by ball-milling

The microstructure of NiZr2 in the course of amorphization by ball-milling is studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The evolution from the initial fully crystalline alloy to a fully amorphized material is described. It is shown that prior to amorphization, the powder aggregates achieve a 100% nanocrystalline structure; the amorphous phase then appears and develops to the expense of the nanocrystalline phase. No massive chemical disordering is observed, but a small amount cannot be ruled out. It is proposed that amorphization occurs by chemical disordering at interfaces, induced by the scattering of shear waves.