Influence of Ball‐milling on the Oxidation Behavior of Ag–Zn Alloy Powders

The gas atomized Ag-15.2 at% Zn alloy powders were treated using ball-milling. The effect of ball-milling on surface morphology, microstructure, and oxidation behavior of the alloy powders was investigated. The results showed that ball-milling treatment enhanced the oxidation rate of Ag-Zn alloy powders due to the increase of dislocation density and the decrease of the diffusion distance of oxygen during internal oxidation. The fully oxidized time of Ag-Zn alloy powders decreases with the ball-milling time. In addition, the ball-milling treatment not only changes the oxidation mechanism but also improves microstructure and properties of the Ag-ZnO materials fabricated by internal oxidation.