Crystal structure of ultrathin lamellar precipitates

Abstract

The crystal structure of lamellar precipitates formed in alloys 1213 (Al-Cu-Ag), V-1461 (Al-Cu-Li) and V-1469 (Al-Cu-Li-Ag) has been studied during age hardening. The experimental studies have been performed using transmission electron microscopy. The precipitates have {111} habits and thicknesses of several atomic planes. In diffraction patterns, these plates give a system of diffuse streaks. These ultrathin plates scatter electrons similar to two-dimensional crystal lattices. It is shown that thin plates of precipitates in alloys 1213, V-1461, and V-1469 give identical systems of diffuse streaks. The two-dimensional crystal lattices that give the system of these streaks have a hexagonal symmetry with the following orientation relationship: {ie481-1} and the lattice parameter af = 0.495 nm (there is no lattice parameter cf for two-dimensional lattices). A sequence of the steps of reconstruction of the spatial structure of plane precipitates is proposed in terms of their thickness, structures of two-dimensional lattices, and type of precipitates (extrinsic or intrinsic). The influence of Ag on the structure of lamellar precipitates in the V-1469 alloy is discussed.