Influence of neutron irradiation on the martensitic transformations in 18R Cu-Zn-Al single crystals

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Scripta Metallurgica; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0036-9748(89)90242-1· OSTI ID:6787259

Tolley, A; Ahlers, M ^[1]

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1. Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica, San Carlos de Bariloche (Argentina). Centro Atomico Bariloche

The Cu-Zn binary and ternary alloys have a low vacancy formation energy in the high temperature {beta}-phase. This implies that a high vacancy concentration can be quenched in, considerably higher than in the close packed {alpha} phases, which are stable at lower electron concentrations. The {beta}-phase transforms martensitically to close packed lattices (fcc, 18R or hexagonal); the high concentration of vacancies can then be retained in these closed packed structures. At sufficiently high temperatures, which include already room temperature, the vacancies become mobile, leading to a change in phase stability, which manifests itself in a change in transformation temperature or stress, and which is called stabilization. When a material is irradiated with particles, vacancies are created, among other effects. If it is only these vacancies which are important in the structural changes, then a quench and an irradiation experiment should yield the same results, if the excess vacancy concentration is similar. In order to investigate this possibility, CuZnAl alloys slowly cooled to avoid excess vacancies were irradiated with fast neutrons in the martensitic phase. The results are compared with the stabilization which is known to occur in samples with quenched-in vacancies. The results of reactor-neutron irradiations at about 70{degrees}C are described.

• OSTI ID: 6787259
• Journal Information: Scripta Metallurgica; (USA), Journal Name: Scripta Metallurgica; (USA) Vol. 23:12; ISSN 0036-9748; ISSN SCRMB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360102 -- Metals & Alloys-- Structure & Phase Studies
360106* -- Metals & Alloys-- Radiation Effects
654003 -- Radiation & Shielding Physics-- Neutron Interactions with Matter
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
BARYONS
COPPER ALLOYS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
CRYSTALS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FAST NEUTRONS
FERMIONS
HADRONS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
MONOCRYSTALS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEONS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
ZINC ALLOYS