Reduction of metal oxides by mechanical alloying

The chemical reduction of metal oxides by mechanical alloying with a strong reducing element has been investigated. Using x-ray diffraction to follow the reaction it was found that the mechanical alloying of CuO and Ca using toluene as a processing lubricant resulted in the formation of Cu. The mechanical alloying of CuO and ZnO together with Ca resulted in the formation of β′ brass.