Spherical boron powders prepared by mechanical milling in immiscible liquids

Spherical boron powders with sizes ranging from 4 to 100 μm were prepared by ball milling a commercial powder. A planetary mill was used process control agent consisting of two immiscible fluids: hexane and acetonitrile. The spherical formed when the volume loaded close that acetonitrile in presence excess hexane. Particle measured using low-angle laser light scattering, they examined scanning electron microscopy, their specific surface area nitrogen adsorption. size distributions spheres much narrower than is common for solids processed high-energy milling. particles fragile; mechanical stability improved small amount Fluorel®, fluorocarbon binder, preliminarily dissolved Experiments showed exhibited higher bulk density better flowability starting Process-property relations explored systematically varying parameters analyzing effect on distribution spheres. found decrease used; it also decreased an increase time, number balls, speed