Decomposition in Pd40Ni40P20 Bulk Metallic Glass

1998 ◽  
Vol 554 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. Miller ◽  
R. B. Schwarz ◽  
Yi He

AbstractAn atom probe field ion microscope and 3-dimensional atom probe characterization of the solute distribution in a bulk Pd40Ni40P20 metallic glass in the as-cast state and after annealing has been performed. Statistical analysis of the atom probe atom-by-atom data detected the presence of short range ordering in the as-cast alloy. Phase separation at the nanometer level is observed in glassy samples after annealing above the glass-transition temperature. Crystallization proceeds by phase separation into three distinct crystalline phases. Atom probe analysis of the alloy annealed for 1 h at 410°C revealed that the primary nickel phosphide phase contained significant levels of palladium, the palladium-rich Pd3P phosphide phase contained low levels of nickel and there was a small amount of a palladium-nickel solid solution.

1991 ◽  
Vol 232 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K Miller ◽  
P. P. Camus ◽  
M. G. Hetherington

ABSTRACTThe atom probe field ion microscope has been used to characterize the morphology and determine the compositions of the iron-rich a and chromium-enriched α′ phases produced during isothermal and step cooled heat treatments in a Chromindur II ductile permanent magnet alloy. The good magnetic properties of this material are due to a combination of the composition of the two phases and the isolated nature and size of the ferromagnetic a phase. The morphology of the a phase is produced as a result of the shape of the miscibility gap and the step-cooled heat treatment and is distinctly different from that formed during isothermal heat treatments.


1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1189-1190
Author(s):  
M. K. Miller

The atom probe field ion microscope can resolve and identify individual atoms. This ability is demonstrated in a pair of field ion micrographs of an Ni3Al specimen, Fig. 1, in which the individual atoms on the close packed (111) plane are clearly resolved. Comparison of these two micrographs reveals that an individual atom was field evaporated between the micrographs. Due to the hemispherical nature of the specimen, the ability to resolve this two dimensional atomic arrangement is only possible on low index plane facets. The spatial resolution in field ion images is determined by a number of factors including specimen temperature, material, microstructural features, specimen geometry, and crystallographic location.The spatial resolution of the data obtained in atom probe and 3 dimensional atom probe compositional analyses can be evaluated with the use of field evaporation or field desorption images. The field evaporation images are formed from the surface atoms with the use of a single atom sensitive detector whereas the field ion image is formed from the projection of a continuous supply of ionized image gas atoms.


Author(s):  
K. F. Russell ◽  
M. K. Miller

The atom probe field ion microscope (APFIM) is well suited to the characterization of the fine scale features and defects that are formed in materials due to exposure to neutron irradiation. However, in order for the technique to be effective, suitable specimens are required. Atom probe field ion microscopy specimens are in the form of ultrasharp needles that are usually produced by a series of mechanical and chemical or electrochemical methods. These needles have a typical end radius of approximately 10 to 50 nm and a taper angle of between 1 and 5. The small dimensions mean that the specimens are extremely fragile and difficult to handle and do not easily lend themselves to remote operations in a hot cell. The small size and mass of the APFIM specimen has the advantage that the amount of material required is minimal.A concept in working with irradiated materials is to keep exposure to the operator "as low as reasonably achievable" (ALARA).


1992 ◽  
Vol 295 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. Miller ◽  
Raman Jayaram

AbstractThe near atomic spatial resolution of the atom probe field ion microscope permits the elemental characterization of internal interfaces, grain boundaries and surfaces to be performed in a wide variety of materials. Information such as the orientation relationship between grains, topology of the interface, and the coherency of small precipitates with the surrounding matrix may be obtained from field ion microscopy. Details of the solute segregation may be obtained at the plane of the interface and as a function of distance from the interface for all elements simultaneously from atom probe compositional analysis. The capabilities and limitations of the atom probe technique in the characterization of internal interfaces is illustrated with examples of grain boundaries and interphase interfaces in a wide range of materials including intermetallics, model alloys, and commercial steels.


Author(s):  
M.G. Burke ◽  
M.K. Miller

In the development of advanced alloys for power system applications, the primary emphasis is placed on attaining specific mechanical properties with resistance to environmental attack. An important part of alloy development is the detailed characterization of the microstructure, because it is the composition, size and morphology of the microstructural features that define the mechanical properties of the material. The good mechanical properties of Ni-base superalloys are a result of the formation of fine coherent precipitates. In addition, other coarser phases may form which can degrade the properties of the alloys. Analytical electron microscopy (AEM) provides important information concerning the type and distribution of the phases in the alloys, but quantitative microchemical analysis of the ultra-fine precipitates is not readily obtainable with conventional AEM techniques. The high spatial resolution of the atom probe field-ion microscope (APFIM) makes this technique ideally suited to the analysis of the ultra-fine precipitates and surrounding matrix. The analysis of the matrix is particularly important in predicting the subsequent ageing response of the alloy, as previously shown in a detailed AEM/APFIM examination of Alloy 718. In this paper, a combined AEM/APFIM study of precipitation in Alloy X-750 is presented.


Author(s):  
Amanda K. Petford-Long ◽  
A. Cerezo ◽  
M.G. Hetherington

The fabrication of multilayer films (MLF) with layer thicknesses down to one monolayer has led to the development of materials with unique properties not found in bulk materials. The properties of interest depend critically on the structure and composition of the films, with the interfacial regions between the layers being of particular importance. There are a number of magnetic MLF systems based on Co, several of which have potential applications as perpendicular magnetic (e.g Co/Cr) or magneto-optic (e.g. Co/Pt) recording media. Of particular concern are the effects of parameters such as crystallographic texture and interface roughness, which are determined by the fabrication conditions, on magnetic properties and structure.In this study we have fabricated Co-based MLF by UHV thermal evaporation in the prechamber of an atom probe field-ion microscope (AP). The multilayers were deposited simultaneously onto cobalt field-ion specimens (for AP and position-sensitive atom probe (POSAP) microanalysis without exposure to atmosphere) and onto the flat (001) surface of oxidised silicon wafers (for subsequent study in cross-section using high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) in a JEOL 4000EX. Deposi-tion was from W filaments loaded with material in the form of wire (Co, Fe, Ni, Pt and Au) or flakes (Cr). The base pressure in the chamber was around 8×10−8 torr during deposition with a typical deposition rate of 0.05 - 0.2nm/s.


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