W-particle shape in liquid Cu during heat treatment of Cu-W composite powder prepared by mechanical alloying

The equilibrium morphology of W-particles in liquid Cu was observed to be spherical (nonfaceted). When W and Cu were subjected to mechanical alloying treatment, the morphology of the W-particle in contact with liquid Cu was faceted. With prolonged heat treatment, the W-particle gradually became nonfaceted in morphology. The time needed to attain the equilibrium nonfaceted morphology depends on the duration of the mechanical alloying process. The present paper describes the morphological variation in the W-particle in liquid Cu that occurs during the heat treatment of Cu-5wt.%W composite powder prepared by a mechanical alloying process. The effect of mechanical alloying treatment on the morphology of the W-particle in contact with liquid Cu is discussed.