Preparation of nanocrystalline CuTi by quenching the melt under high pressure

A new method of preparing a bulk nanocrystalline alloy by means of quenching a melt under high pressure has been developed. Using this method, a bulk CuTi alloy with 10–20 nm crystallites was synthesized. The structures and grain sizes of the alloy were examined by means of X-ray diffraction and TEM. We know of no precedent for using this method to directly prepare nanocrystalline alloys. The interfaces within the bulk alloys are very clean, and there is no porosity. The mechanism for nanometer-sized crystallite formation by this method is discussed.