Synchrotron X-ray absorption studies of atomic-level alloying in immiscible mixtures

An X-ray absorption beamline has been developed recently at the electron storage ring of the LSU Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices. Using Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) and X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES), we have studied the local atomic environments in immiscible mixtures processed by high-energy ball milling, a mechanical alloying technique involving heavy deformation. By examining the local coordination and bond distances, it is concluded that atomic-level alloying can indeed be induced between Cu and Fe through milling at room temperature, forming substitutional fcc and bcc solid solutions. In addition to single-phase regions, a two-phase region consisting of fcc/bcc solutions has been found after milling at both room temperature and liquid nitrogen temperature. In contrast to the Cu-Fe system, solid solution formation is not detectable in milled Ag-Fe and Cu-Ta mixtures. This work demonstrates the power of synchrotron EXAFS/XANES experiments in monitoring nonequilibrium alloying on the atomic level. At the same time, the results provide direct experimental evidence of the capability as well as limitations of high-energy ball milling to form alloys in positive-heat-of-mixing systems.