Growth kinetics of (θ′– and θ-phases in Al–3Cu alloy

Abstract
The precipitation of θ′ and θ in Al–3Cu alloy has been investigated, using a resistivity and a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) method. Both stages of the transformation obey the Avrami equation, ξ = 1− exp (−ktn), where ξ is the precipitated fraction of excess solute. The growth parameters are n = 1·68±0·10 for θ′ precipitation and n = 0·63 ± 0·04 for θ precipitation, and the corresponding activation energies are 85·3 ± 10·9 and 111·1±5·2 kJ, respectively. The n-value for the θ′ precipitation stage corresponds to the model proposed by Ham for diffusion-limited growth of disc-like particles, and is in agreement with the TEM results of this investigation. The activation energy for θ′ precipitation is in the range for θ′ boundary migration reported by Aaronson and Laird. The n-value and activation energy for θ precipitation suggests a growth model in which concurrent dissolution of θ′ supplies solute to θ particles via dislocation paths. MST/480