Supersaturated Cu-Li solid solutions produced by mechanical alloying

In the present work the effect of milling parameters, such as the ball-to-powder ratio and milling time, on the formation of supersaturated Cu-Li solid solutions produced by mechanical alloying was investigated. The microstructural changes and the phases present after milling were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, whereas the amount of lithium was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results show that the solubility limit of Li in Cu can be extended up to a maximum value of 17 at.%. It was also observed that the lattice parameter of the copper matrix and the microhardness of the as-milled powder both changed as a function of the lithium content.