Abstract
By employing atomic-resolution imaging and first principles energy calculations, the growth behavior of S-phase precipitates in a high strength Al-Cu-Mg alloy was investigated. It is demonstrated that the nucleation and growth of the S-phase precipitate are rather anisotropic and temperature-dependent companying with low dimensional phase transformation. There are actually two types of Guinier-Preston (GP) zones that determine the formation mechanism of S-phase at high aging temperatures higher than 180 °C. One is the precursors of the S-phase itself, the other is the structural units or the precursors of the well-known Guinier-Preston-Bagaryatsky (GPB) zones. At high temperatures the later GPB zone units may form around S-phase precipitate and cease its growth in the width direction, leading to the formation of rod-like S-phase crystals; whereas at low temperatures the S-phase precipitates develop without the interference with GPB zones, resulting in S-phase precipitates with lath-like morphology.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-11 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China |
Volume | 26 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jan 2016 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- age hardening
- aluminum alloy
- anisotropy
- crystal growth
- precipitation