Lattice imperfection studies in polycrystalline materials by x-ray diffraction line-profile analysis

Abstract

This review concerns our recent investigations with a series of binary fcc Ag- and Cu-base alloys (viz Ag-Ga, Ag-Ge, Ag-Al and Cu-Ga, Cu-Ge) from detailed analyses of x-ray diffraction line profiles, the importance of which has been briefly summarized. The theoretical formulations of the Warren-Averbach’s method of Fourier analysis of peak-shapes along with the methods of peak-shift and peak-asymmetry have been outlined. A preview on the significant studies carried out earlier with Ag- and Cu-base (fcc) binary alloys has been made in short. A detailed analyses on the recorded profiles in the present considerations revealed, in general, quantitative estimates of several microstructural parameters characterising the deformed state of the materials namely, propensity of stacking faults (intrinsic, extrinsic and twin faults), rms microstrains, coherent domain sizes, long-range residual stresses, lattice parameter changes, dislocation density and stacking fault energy. The results indicate a general trend of increase in the concentrations of stacking faults, primarily, of intrinsic character, with increase in solute concentrations; which are solely responsible for the observed peak-shifts as well as domain size broadening. Small asymmetry in the profiles is due to the presence of extrinsic stacking faults, relatively less in magnitude compared to the intrinsic ones while the deformation twin faults are almost absent—an observation with significance. The dislocation density, quite appreciable in magnitude, has been evaluated from the anisotropic values of the coherent domain sizes and rms microstrains. The stacking fault energies of pure Ag and Cu, an important parameter have also been estimated and compared with those obtained from electron microscopy. Annealing experiments with a Ag-5·8% Al alloy, aluminium being a precipitating solute, do not reveal any detectable evidence of solute segregation at the stacking faults. The occurrence of stacking faults in the alloy systems has been correlated with a number of physical factors involving solvent-solute types.