Atomic-Resolution EDS Characterization of Ordering in a β–Cu–Zn–Al Alloy
摘要
Atomic ordering in single-crystal β–Cu–Zn–Al, relevant to the martensitic transformation and functional properties, is investigated using analytical STEM. Atomic-resolution EDS along the [110] zone axis, where all Wyckoff positions are spatially resolved, reveals three chemically distinct site occupancies. Correlation with HAADF-STEM contrast provides real-space evidence consistent with L21 ordering. In agreement with experiments, first-principles calculations show a slight energetic preference for L21 over D03, with finite-temperature free-energy calculations indicating that this preference persists at elevated temperatures.