Phase transformations, microstructural refinement and defect evolution mechanisms in Al-Si alloys under non-hydrostatic diamond anvil cell compression

Abstract

Non-hydrostatic compression of materials using a diamond anvil cell (DAC) can transform the equilibrium microstructure of an alloy to novel, potentially metastable states. In this study, in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) during compression up to 24 GPa and subsequent ex-situ, high resolution analytical electron microscopy (AEM) after decompression of an Al-Si alloy provided insight into the crystallographic changes during the compression as well as microstructural refinement, and defect structures caused by such a high pressure compression-decompression process. Pressure resolved in-situ synchrotron XRD was used to detail the phase transformation pathway of the eutectic Si phase in Al-Si alloy, from Si-I → Si-XI → Si-V during compression, and a final transformation predominantly to Si-III after decompression. Using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM), site specific analysis of the alloy immediately underneath the anvil contact surface demonstrated a highly complex microstructure. A narrow region of thick amorphous Al oxide interspersed with nanocrystalline grains was found at the top surface. Underneath this Al oxide, while the majority of the eutectic Si was transformed into highly-deformed, polycrystalline (PC) Si-III, a complex intermediate layer was discovered at the interface between Al and Si, comprised of a small fraction of Al nanocrystals and a majority of nanocrystalline Si-I. This combination of pressure resolved in-situ synchrotron XRD coupled with subsequent high resolution, electron microscopy resolved the phase transformation as well as non-equilibrium microstructures in a metallic alloy induced by a non-hydrostatic high pressure compression followed by decompression.