Abstract
In this paper the results of a quantitative transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigation of the precipitation process of the metastable σ′ (Al 3Li) phase in an Al-2.8wt.%Li-0.14wt.%Zr alloy are described. The particle size distributions were determined for a variety of isothermal aging times at 200°C. The growth of the σ′ phase was found to obey Ostwald ripening kinetics. However, the kinetics of the σ′ precipitation process were greater than in a similar alloy without zirconium. The TEM results showed that the σ′ phase nucleates directly on the pre-existing Al 3Zr particles. The nucleation on these particles was shown to affect the initial or “critical size” of the σ′ particles compared with a similar alloy containing manganese.
Published Version
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