| Mechanical Alloying using high-energy ball milling is a promising technique to synthesize nanocomposites for superior mechanical and chemical properties. However, the need to sinter, the application of heat to a powder or a powder body, to increase interparticle bonding, and usually density, tends to result in the destruction of the nanosized components. We have been examining the use of chemical binders that can be pyrolyzed to ceramic binding components at lower temperatures. The heating regime for the sintering process has been determined using DTA analysis of binders. Silicon Nitride and titanium nitride nanocomposite powders have been characterized using XRD and SEM. Although both solid phase and liquid phase binders have been examined for their binding properties and hence, the properties of the obtained nanocomposites. The preferred characteristics of the binder precursors will be discussed and a major problem of wetting of the binder to the nanoparticles encountered will be delineated. |
