Lattice Images at θ’ Precipitates in Al-3%Cu Alloy

Extract

As part of a high resolution electron microscopic study of the precipitation sequence at 130°C in aluminum - 3% copper alloy, we studied G. P. [1], G. P. [2] or θ”, and θ’ precipitates by the lattice imaging technique. This approach proved valuable for phase identification and distinction. Examples of cros sed-lattice and c-plane lattice images at θ’ platelets will be presented here.

Slices were spark cut nearly parallel to {001} from a melt-grown single crystal of aluminum -3.0 wt. % copper, previously solution treated at540°C and water quenched. Slices were aged at 130°C in argon and hand ground. Discs were chemically, electrolytically or in one case ion thinned, and examined at 100 kV in a slightly modified Philips EM 300 microscope.

In the aluminum-copper system, the intermediate phases (G. P. zones and θ’) separate parallel to cube matrix planes, so that the slice orientation chosen resulted in two sets of platelets being parallel and one set normal to the beam.