Atomic-Resolution EDS Characterization of Ordering in a β–Cu–Zn–Al Alloy

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A 2026 Open access

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Authors: Aleksander Larsen, Sandeep Madhukar Gorantla, Phuong D. Nguyen, Andreas Rosnes, Yijiang Xu, Konstantina Iordanidou, P.A. Carvalho, X. X. Chen, Anette E. Gunnæs, Ole Martin Løvvik
DOI: 10.1007/s11661-025-08093-9
Cited by: 1
References: 34

Abstract

Abstract 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 L2 1 ordering. In agreement with experiments, first-principles calculations show a slight energetic preference for L2 1 over D0 3 , with finite-temperature free-energy calculations indicating that this preference persists at elevated temperatures.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Quasicrystal Structures and Properties Shape Memory Alloy Transformations Microstructure and mechanical properties

Publication details

Journal / source
Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
57
Issue
3
Pages
941–947
Publication date
7 January 2026
Language
EN