θ ′ (Al 2 Cu) precipitates in Al-Cu-Ag alloys were examined using high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). The precipitates nucleated on dislocation loops on which assemblies of γ ′ (AlAg 2 ) precipitates were present. These dislocation loops were enriched in silver prior to θ ′ precipitation. Coherent, planar interfaces between the aluminium matrix and θ ′ precipitates were decorated by a layer of silver of two atomic layers in thickness. It is proposed that this layer lowers the chemical component of the Al-θ ′ interfacial energy. The lateral growth of the θ ′ precipitates was accompanied by the extension of this silver bi-layer, resulting in the loss of silver from neighbouring γ ′ precipitates and contributing to the deterioration of the γ ′ precipitate assemblies.
Pre-printSilver segregation to θ ′ -Al interfaces in Al-Cu-Ag alloys J.M.Rosalie & L. Bourgeois forms with {111} habit instead of {100} and displays remarkable coarsening resistance. Drift corrected energy dispersive x-ray analysis [7] and 3D atom probe studies [8] have shown that Ag and Mg both segregate to the Ω-Al matrix interface. The Ω phase has a distinctive interface structure, with a bilayer of Ag atoms at the coherent interface with the matrix [9]. Density functional theory calculations indicated while substitution of either Mg or Ag alone was energetically unfavourable, a combination of both elements provided a lower-energy interface [10].Recent work has shown that compositional changes at the θ ′ -matrix interface occur in other alloys. Silicon was found to segregate to the coherent {100} interfaces of the θ ′ phase in Al-Cu-Si alloys, substituting for Cu sites in the precipitate [11]. It has also been demonstrated that the interface composition and structure of θ ′ in binary Al-Cu differs substantially from the bulk structure, with additional Cu atoms occupying octahedral interstices in the precipitate [12]. Despite these studies a detailed understanding of precipitate-matrix interfaces has yet to be developed in the majority of Al alloys.Aluminium-copper-silver (Al-Cu-Ag) alloys are ideal for studying the effect of a third element on the precipitation of the θ ′ phase. Unlike many ternary systems (e.g. Al-Cu-Mg) the Al-rich region of the phase field contains only binary phases [13], eliminating the complexities associated with competing ternary phase precipitation. The interatomic spacing in pure Ag also corresponds very closely to that of pure Al, and substantial additions of silver have little effect on the lattice parameter of Al [14,15]. Solute misfit can therefore be regarded as minimal, and solute-induced strain can be largely neglected. In addition, the chemical affinity between Ag and Cu atoms is weak and the strong co-clustering behaviour exhibited by systems such as Al-Si-Mg is not observed.Early studies on Al-Cu-Ag alloys established that for compositions of ∼1at.%(Ag,Cu) both γ ′ (AlAg 2 ) and θ ′ precipitates were formed [16] and it been shown that both phases can form on disloc...