Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
Phase evolution during ball milling of Al in both N2 and NH3 gas has been compared and the annealing behaviour studied in some detail. X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, combustion analysis and scanning and transmission electron microscopy have been used as analytical techniques. Results have shown that a nitride is not formed in N2 but that Al forms into many small, hollow spheres during milling. In contrast, milling in NH3 results in an amorphous AlxNy(O) phase which transforms into crystalline AIN and A12O3 on annealing to 1000°C.