Phase instability and nonlinear effects in a mechanically synthesized FeB nanocrystalline alloy

Abstract

Results are presented of investigations of the processes taking place during the mechanical formation of FeB alloy. It was observed that there are critical rates of introduction of damage and defect concentrations above which the system becomes unstable and two branches of nonequilibrium steady states appear. During grinding, transitions of a cyclic nature are observed between these states. It is noted that the evolution of the system is determined by the dynamics of the fluctuations and in this sense, the mechanical synthesis reaction may be unpredictable. It is established that the powder grinding process and mechanical formation of an alloy from atomic components cannot be treated on a purely mechanical or mechanochemical basis. They must be viewed as part of the general problem of nonlinear dynamic systems far from thermodynamic equilibrium.