Abstract
Elemental Al and Nb or Al, Nb and graphite powders were mechanically alloyed (MA) with methanol in an Ar gas atmosphere. The results of X-ray diffraction indicated that Al3Nb and NbC phases were obtained in the mixed powders mechanically alloyed longer than 72.0ks. TEM observation of MA powders revealed that nano-sized crystalline Al3Nb and NbC precipitated to make a small powder particle. The sintered compacts with high density were obtained by vacuum heating of the compacts of MA powders. Fine NbC particles dispersed uniformly in the sintered compacts and its content increased in proportion to graphite content. The hardness of the sintered compacts increased linearly with NbC content.
