Papers - Mechanism of Precipitation from the Solid Solution of Silver in Aluminum (T.P. 1275, with discussion)

The complicated nature of the property changes that accompany age-hardening has made it necessary to reconsider and to elaborate the simple dispersion theory.l It has been apparent for some time that more direct information is needed concerning the atomic mechanism of precipitation from solid solution if the theory of age-hardening is to be developed past a purely qualitative stage.‡ Fortunately, in recent years information has been developed which allows us to trace in detail the lattice changes accompanying the process of precipitation from solid solution. This information relates chiefly to the sequence of the several stages of lattice alteration by which the matrix lattice is transformed to the equilibrium precipitate lattice, and permits reasonable inferences to he drawn concerning the states of internal strain that accompany these stages. This information is most complete for the solid solution of copper in aluminum. The equilibrium precipitate is the 0 phase, "CuAl2." This forms in plates, parallel to the {100} matrix planes. The atom pattern and atom spacing on the plane in 0 lying parallel to this plane are roughly similar to those opposite it in the matrix.3 The formation of 0, however, is preceded by the formation of a transition lattice 0': which again lies parallel to the matrix {100} plane, but in this case the matching of atom pattern and spacing across the matrix-precipitate interface is nearly periect; thus there is lattice coherency across the interface and the interface is a plane of separation in only a very limited sense.'8 Particles of 0' may be recognized microscopically and form a well-defined Wid-manstatten figure.* The 0' lattice is recognized by the occurrence of diffraction lines on powder photo-grams or of spots on Laue photograms which may be analyzed in the usual ways to determine the lattice type and the lattice spacings. Very recent research 6, 7, 1 has shown, however, that streaks occur on the Laue photogram at an earlier point in time during the aging process. These streaks have been attributed to a preferential clustering of copper atoms into small platelike elements of only a few atoms in thickness and a lew hundred atoms in diameter, probably of the composition of " CuA12," which may be designated as Guinier-Preston zones or aggregates.1 It is difficult if not impossible to determine the lattice type and lattice spacing in these aggregates. It is possible1 that these aggregates are in fact ?' in a high State of dispersion; the inclination to argue this is strong, as we shall see later. Never-