Decomposition and formation of fcc FeNi precipitates in dilute Fe–Ni alloy
摘要
The decomposition of the bcc Fe-rich Fe–Ni solid solution upon annealing has been studied using a complex approach including experimental investigations (Mössbauer and SEM studies) and ab initio calculations. Mössbauer spectra of the alloys with 7 and 10 at.% of Ni in the quenched state show a wide range of hyperfine fields (HFFs) mainly exceeding that characteristic of pure Fe. Upon annealing, the HFFs change indicating a redistribution of nickel atoms in the grain bulk. Using the EBSD method, the formation of Ni-rich precipitates near grain boundaries and a slight decrease in the nickel concentration in the bulk were revealed. In the Fe-10 at.% Ni alloy, the formation of grain boundary segregation provides para-equilibrium conditions, which results in bcc–fcc transformation and the fcc–Fe–Ni precipitations. The theoretical analysis based on first-principles calculations made it possible to explain the observed structural features.
Graphical abstract