Effect of free energy on the solid solubility and magnetic behaviour of a mechanically alloyed nanocrystalline Cu–Co–Ti alloy

Abstract

This study aimed to exploit the potential of the ball-milling method to create a super-saturated solid solution in an immiscible Cu–Co system. The nanocrystalline binary 50Cu–50Co (at%) and ternary 50Cu–40Co–10Ti (at%) alloys produced by ball milling for up to 50 h and afterwards isothermal annealing are examined for microstructure and magnetic characteristics. Ti addition’s effects on solid solubility of Co in Cu morphology and magnetic characteristics of the systems were evaluated using cutting-edge techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analyzer, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and superconducting quantum interference device. The thermodynamic stability of the solutions was assessed using DTA measurement at temperatures ranging from 450 to 650°C. The magnetic value of the ternary alloy after annealing increased up to 550°C before declining to 650°C.