Achieving Forced Mixing in Cu-Based Immiscible Alloys via Friction Stir Processing

Abstract

Cu-based binary and ternary immiscible alloys were synthesized from elemental powders via friction stir processing (FSP) as a pathway to obtain thermally stable bulk nanostructured alloys with forced miscibility. The processed alloys were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). High magnification SEM confirmed the formation of forced mixing in the friction stir processed layer. Forced miscibility in immiscible alloys systems was possible due to high temperature intense severe plastic deformation during FSP. Mixing characteristics in Cu–Ag–Nb and Cu–Fe immiscible alloys were carried out and a mixing mechanism was proposed. As-processed alloys exhibited hardness in the range of 215–320 HV0.3.