In this study the effects of harder ultrafine Al2O3 particles on the mechanical milling of
ductile Cu flakes (200mesh, 70μm) have been investigated. The small hard Al2O3 particle in the
mixture acted as an effective milling agent not only by inducing a drastic change of the Cu
morphology from flattened flakes to equiaxed crystals but also by reducing the milling time
required for a uniform dispersion of Al2O3 in the Cu matrix. This was more pronounced as the
Al2O3 concentration increased. A critical concentration of the reinforcing Al2O3 required for a shape
change was observed at the range of 8 to 9wt. %. All the hard Al2O3 particles were uniformly
embedded in the ductile Cu matrix regardless of the concentration of Al2O3. By increasing the
milling time, the weldment and fragmentation of the Cu flakes became significant and a uniformly
distributed equiaxed composite structure (13wt.% Al2O3) was obtained at above 70 min..
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