Multicomponent Nb-15Si-23Ti-3Cr-2Sn-2Al-2Hf-1B-0.5Y alloy powders were synthesized by high-energy ball milling using a zirconia chamber and balls for milling times of 0.5–12 h, and the effects of milling time on powder evolution, contamination behavior, and the resulting microstructure and mechanical properties of hot-pressed sintered specimens were systematically investigated. The dominant deformation mechanism shifted from flattening to cold welding and then to a fracture- dominated steady state with increasing milling time, and the particle size decreased sharply up to 4 h before stabilizing. Yield and composition analyses showed that zirconia contamination remained limited up to 4 h but increased sharply beyond 6 h owing to severe wear of the milling chamber and balls. Sintered specimens from powder milled for 4 h exhibited a homogeneous microstructure with finely and stably dispersed Nb5Si3 intermetallic phases and moderate hardness, whereas insufficient milling for 2 h left coarse, unreacted phases, and excessive milling for 12 h introduced substantial zirconia contamination that lowered density while raising hardness. These results indicate that a milling time in the range of 4–6 h offers a favorable balance between alloying efficiency and contamination control, with 4 h being preferred owing to its comparatively minimal zirconia contamination.

1. Introduction 
2. Experimental Section 
    2.1 합금 조성 및 준비 
    2.2 기계적 합금화 및 소결 공정 
    2.3 분석 및 특성 평가 
3. Results and Discussion 
    3.1 밀링 시간에 따른 분말의 입도 변화 
    3.2 밀링 시간에 따른 공정 수율 및 조성 변화 
    3.3 분말의 표면 형상 및 분말 단면 
    3.4 소결체의 미세조직 및 성분 분석 
    3.5 소결체의 상분석 및 기계적 특성 
4. Conclusions 
Funding
Conflict of Interest 
Data Availability Statement 
Author Information and Contribution 
Acknowledgments
References

• 문정식(고등기술연구원 신소재공정센터) | Jeong-Sik Moon (Advanced Materials Process Center, Materials and Components Research Division, Institute for Advanced Engineering, Yongin 17180, Republic of Korea)
• 김정준(고등기술연구원 신소재공정센터) | Jungjoon Kim (Advanced Materials Process Center, Materials and Components Research Division, Institute for Advanced Engineering, Yongin 17180, Republic of Korea)
• 김영균(고등기술연구원 신소재공정센터) | Youngkyun Kim (Advanced Materials Process Center, Materials and Components Research Division, Institute for Advanced Engineering, Yongin 17180, Republic of Korea)
• 한덕현(고등기술연구원 신소재공정센터, 아주대학교 첨단신소재공학과) | Deokhyun Han (Advanced Materials Process Center, Materials and Components Research Division, Institute for Advanced Engineering, Yongin 17180, Republic of Korea, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea)
• 이서유(아주대학교 첨단신소재공학과) | Seo-Yu Lee (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea)
• 박진서(아주대학교 첨단신소재공학과) | Jin-Seo Park (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea)
• 안병민(아주대학교 첨단신소재공학과, 아주대학교 에너지시스템학과) | Byungmin Ahn (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea, Department of Energy Systems Research, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea) Corresponding author