Coherent joining of the domains in Mg₂Al₃ β- and β′-phases

Abstract

The structure of the β- and β′-phases of Mg₂Al₃ metallic compound is described in terms of rod-like domains consisting of periodic sets of hexagonal layers. The coherent joining of the neighbouring domains is discussed. The main set of 11 layers forms a stable configuration, which does not change during the β′–β transformation. The short sequences of two to three layers present in the β′-phase transform into clusters emerging in the β-phase.

Keywords:

• complex metallic alloy
• Mg–Al compound
• Samson phase

Acknowledgements

This work has been partially supported by Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland for contract No. N N202 174135 and also by CMA-NoE activities at AGH- University of Science and Technology.