Dissolution and Growth of Precipitates Under Electron Irradiation in an Al-11.8 at % Zn Alloy by Small Angle Neutron Scattering.

Abstract

ABSTRACTDissolution and growth of precipitates in a room temperature aged Al-11.8 at % Zn alloy have been studied under electron irradiation using small angle neutron scattering (SANS). A series of electron irradiations were performed on each sample and SANS measurements were made on each irradiation. In general for low doses the results show an initial decrease in the magnitude of the scattering, but associated with an increase in the precipitate size. This is followed on prolonged irradiation by an increase in the magnitude of the scattering with a continued increase in precipitate size. It is believed, that at low doses some precipitate grow in size but others may dissolve in the matrix, which then becomes supersaturated. With the enhanced rate of diffusion as a result of the irradiation, the remaining precipitates grow rapidly. As the supersaturation reduces, a coarsening mechanism takes over, via a radiation enhanced diffusion mechanism.