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Transforming solid-state precipitates via excess vacancies

Author

Listed:
  • Laure Bourgeois

    (Monash University
    Monash University)

  • Yong Zhang

    (Monash University)

  • Zezhong Zhang

    (Monash University
    Electron Microscopy for Materials Research (EMAT), University of Antwerp
    University of Oxford)

  • Yiqiang Chen

    (Monash University
    Thermofisher Scientific)

  • Nikhil V. Medhekar

    (Monash University)

Abstract

Many phase transformations associated with solid-state precipitation look structurally simple, yet, inexplicably, take place with great difficulty. A classic case of difficult phase transformations is the nucleation of strengthening precipitates in high-strength lightweight aluminium alloys. Here, using a combination of atomic-scale imaging, simulations and classical nucleation theory calculations, we investigate the nucleation of the strengthening phase θ′ onto a template structure in the aluminium-copper alloy system. We show that this transformation can be promoted in samples exhibiting at least one nanoscale dimension, with extremely high nucleation rates for the strengthening phase as well as for an unexpected phase. This template-directed solid-state nucleation pathway is enabled by the large influx of surface vacancies that results from heating a nanoscale solid. Template-directed nucleation is replicated in a bulk alloy as well as under electron irradiation, implying that this difficult transformation can be facilitated under the general condition of sustained excess vacancy concentrations.

Suggested Citation

  • Laure Bourgeois & Yong Zhang & Zezhong Zhang & Yiqiang Chen & Nikhil V. Medhekar, 2020. "Transforming solid-state precipitates via excess vacancies," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-15087-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15087-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Shenghua Wu & Hanne S. Soreide & Bin Chen & Jianjun Bian & Chong Yang & Chunan Li & Peng Zhang & Pengming Cheng & Jinyu Zhang & Yong Peng & Gang Liu & Yanjun Li & Hans J. Roven & Jun Sun, 2022. "Freezing solute atoms in nanograined aluminum alloys via high-density vacancies," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Qiang Lu & Jianchuan Wang & Hongcheng Li & Shenbao Jin & Gang Sha & Jiangbo Lu & Li Wang & Bo Jin & Xinyue Lan & Liya Li & Kai Li & Yong Du, 2023. "Synergy of multiple precipitate/matrix interface structures for a heat resistant high-strength Al alloy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.

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