The commercial elemental powders of Cu (99.99%), Fe (99.99%) and S (99.9%) were used as starting materials. These powders were mixed according to the compositions of CuFeS2-x (x = 0, 0.05, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25), and the mixtures were subjected to MA in a planetary ball mill (QM-2L) using a hardened stainless steel vial and ball, which was performed at 450 rpm for different times. The weight ratio of balls to powders was kept at about 20:1, and the mill vial was filled with Ar (99.9%) atmosphere to prevent the powders from oxidation during the milling process. The MA-derived powders were densified by SPS at different temperatures ranging from 873 to 923 K for 5 min under an axial pressure of 50 MPa. Graphite dies were used for SPS, which was conducted in vacuum.
Cu
99.99%
%
Fe
99.99%
%
S
99.9%
%
mixtures
subjected to MA in a planetary ball mill
450 rpm
rpm
balls to powders
weight ratio
about 20:1
Ar
99.9%
%
MA-derived powders
temperatures
ranging from 873 to 923 K
K
MA
densified
5 min
min
MA-derived powders
axial pressure
50 MPa
MPa