In-situ production of CU-AL2O3 nanocomposite by using mechanochemical route

Cu-Al2O3 nanocomposite with different contents of Al2O3 has been successfully produced by using mechanochemical routs. This approach involves mechanical milling of Cu, Al, CuO in a low energy ball mill to produce Cu-Al2O3 composite. Different amount of initial Cu contents has been used to control the adiabatic temperature, Al2O3 particles size and Al2O3 content in the final products. The results of micro structure analysis with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies showed that in the early stage of ball milling particles agglomeration occurred and subsequently a solid solution of Al in Cu, Cu(Al), formed. In next step reaction between soluted Al and CuO resulted in formation of fine Al2O3 particles and fracture of particles caused particles refinement. The results of Xray diffraction showed that Al2O3 particles were very fine and Cu crystallines were smaller than 30 nm after 72 hours ball milling.