On the mechanism of nucleation of copper precipitates upon aging of Fe-Cu alloys

Abstract

Structure of the Fe-5.5% Cu alloy has been studied after aging at 500°C to show that the lattice of copper precipitates changes with increasing time of holding at a temperature from bcc to 9R to fcc. The free energy of the solid solutions and the phase-separation diagrams of the bcc and fcc phases of copper have been calculated. Barriers for the nucleation of copper particles with the bcc and fcc lattices have been evaluated. Factors that favor the appearance of intermediate structural forms of copper, which precede the formation of the stable fcc phase, are discussed. © 2010 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.