The effect of mechanical alloying process on the shape of W particle in the liquid phase sintering of Cu-W composite powder

In general, W particles in liquid Cu are observed to be spherical (nonfaceted), showing no anisotropy in solid-liquid interfacial energy. However, the morphology of W particle in liquid Cu was observed to be faceted during the liquid phase sintering of mechanically alloyed W-Cu composite powder. The present work describes the morphological variation of W-particle which occurs during liquid phase sintering of Cu-5 wt% W composite powder prepared by the mechanical milling process. As the milling process proceeds, the time needed to attain the equilibrium nonfaceted morphology is increased