Observation of pseudo 10-fold symmetry in the ordered iron-zinc delta phase

Abstract

The δ phase is a Zn-rich intermetallic, having a composition range of ∼ 86.5 - 92.0 atomic percent Zn, and is stable up to 665°C. The stoichiometry of the δ phase has been reported as FeZn7 and FeZn10 The deviation in stoichiometry can be attributed to variations in alloy composition used by each investigator. The structure of the δ phase, as determined by powder x-ray diffraction, is hexagonal (P63mc or P63/mmc) with cell dimensions a = 1.28 nm, c = 5.76 nm, and 555±8 atoms per unit cell. Later work suggested that the layer produced by hot-dip galvanizing should be considered as two distinct phases which are characterized by their morphological differences, namely: the iron-rich region with a compact appearance (δk) and the zinc-rich region with a columnar or palisade microstructure (δp). The sub-division of the δ phase was also based on differences in diffusion behavior, and a concentration discontinuity across the δp/δk boundary. However, work utilizing Weisenberg photographs on δ single crystals reported that the variation in lattice parameters with composition was small and hence, structurally, the δk phase and the δp phase were the same and should be thought of as a single phase, δ. Bastin et al. determined the average cell dimensions to be a = 1.28 nm and c = 5.71 nm, and suggested that perhaps some kind of ordering process, which would not be observed by x-ray diffraction, may be responsible for the morphological differences within the δ phase.