Co-segregation of Mg and Zn atoms at the planar η1-precipitate/Al matrix interface in an aged Al–Zn–Mg alloy. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cheng, Bingqing; Zhao, Xiaojun; Zhang, Yong; Chen, Houwen; Polmear, Ian; Nie, Jian-Feng
• Is Part Of: Scripta materialia. Number 185(2020)
• Page Start: 51
• Page End: 55
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Aluminium alloys -- Interface segregation -- Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy -- High-angle annular dark field -- Deep neural network based calculation and simulation; Materials -- Periodicals; Metallurgy -- Periodicals; Metalen; Legeringen; Materiaalkunde; Metals, metalworking and machinery industries; Metals; Electronic journals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2020.04.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-6462

Abstract

Abstract: Using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, the interface between η 1 -precipitates and Al matrix in the aged Al–2.1Zn–1.7Mg (at.%) alloy has been investigated. Atomic-resolution X-ray dispersive spectroscopy mapping reveals the occurrence of co-segregation of Mg and Zn atoms in the {002} α habit plane of the η 1 (MgZn2 ) precipitates. Site-specific Mg atoms segregate outside the concave of an outermost zig-zag Zn-rich layer of the η 1 habit plane. Zn segregation surround the segregated Mg atomic columns was also observed. Hybrid molecular dynamics (MD) and Monte Carlo (MC) atomistic simulations with the accuracy of density functional theory indicate the site-specific segregation is energetically favourable. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract