Quantitative chemical-structure evaluation using atom probe tomography: Short-range order analysis of Fe–Al

Abstract Chemical short-range order (CSRO) refers to atoms of specific elements self-organising within a disordered crystalline matrix. These particular atomic neighbourhoods can modify the mechanical and functional performances of materials 1-6. CSRO is typically characterized indirectly, using volume-averaged (e.g. X-ray/neutron scattering) 2,7,8 or through projection (i.e. two-dimensional) microscopy techniques 5,6,9,10 that fail to capture the complex, three-dimensional atomistic architectures. Quantitative assessment of CSRO and concrete structure-property relationships remain unachievable. Here, we present a machine-learning enhanced approach to break the inherent resolution limits of atom probe tomography to reveal three-dimensional analytical imaging of the size and morphology of multiple CSRO. We showcase our approach by addressing a long-standing question encountered in a body-centred-cubic Fe-18Al (at.%) solid solution alloy that sees anomalous property changes upon heat treatment 2. After validating our method against artificial data for ground truth, we unearth non-statistical B2-CSRO (FeAl) instead of the generally-expected D03-CSRO (Fe3Al) 11,12. We propose quantitative correlations among annealing temperature, CSRO, and the nano-hardness and electrical resistivity, supported by atomistic simulations. The proposed strategy can be generally employed to investigate short/medium/long-range ordering phenomena in a vast array of materials and help design future high-performance materials.

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ATOM PROBE FIM STUDY OF SHORT RANGE ORDER IN Ni RICH Ni-W AND Ni-Mo-W ALLOYS

Le Journal de Physique Colloques ◽

10.1051/jphyscol:1987660 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 48 (C6) ◽

pp. C6-367-C6-372

Author(s):

M. Yamamoto ◽

S. Nenno ◽

J. Tada ◽

T. Fukuchi

Keyword(s):

Short Range ◽

Short Range Order ◽

Atom Probe ◽

Range Order

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Short-range order analysis and electrical properties of As30Se70−xSnx glassy system

Journal of Alloys and Compounds ◽

10.1016/j.jallcom.2007.06.013 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 460 (1-2) ◽

pp. 570-576 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

M.R. Balboul ◽

S.S. Fouad ◽

S.A. Fayek ◽

M.S. El-Bana

Keyword(s):

Electrical Properties ◽

Short Range ◽

Short Range Order ◽

Range Order ◽

Glassy System ◽

Order Analysis

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Structural and short-range order analysis of glassy system

Physica B Condensed Matter ◽

10.1016/j.physb.2010.11.007 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 406 (3) ◽

pp. 435-439 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S.M. El-Sayed ◽

A.H. Ashour ◽

S.A. Fares

Keyword(s):

Short Range ◽

Short Range Order ◽

Range Order ◽

Glassy System ◽

Order Analysis

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An atom-probe FIM study of the short-range order in an Ni4Mo alloy

Scripta Metallurgica ◽

10.1016/0036-9748(85)90330-8 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 357-360 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

M. Yamamoto ◽

T. Hashizume ◽

T. Sakurai

Keyword(s):

Short Range ◽

Short Range Order ◽

Atom Probe ◽

Range Order

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Short–range order analysis and some physical properties of InxSe1−x glasses

Physica B Condensed Matter ◽

10.1016/j.physb.2011.10.012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 407 (5) ◽

pp. 817-821 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

N. El-Kabany

Keyword(s):

Physical Properties ◽

Short Range ◽

Short Range Order ◽

Range Order ◽

Order Analysis

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Ordering in Ni4Mo by TEM and APFIM

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s042482010012597x ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 45 ◽

pp. 214-215

Author(s):

E.A. Kenik ◽

T.A. Zagula ◽

M.K. Miller ◽

J. Bentley

Keyword(s):

Electron Irradiation ◽

Low Temperatures ◽

Short Range ◽

Atom Probe ◽

Range Order ◽

Considerable Time ◽

Probe Field ◽

Disordered Phase ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Diffraction Patterns

The state of long-range order (LRO) and short-range order (SRO) in Ni4Mo has been a topic of interest for a considerable time (see Brooks et al.). The SRO is often referred to as 1½0 order from the apparent position of the diffuse maxima in diffraction patterns, which differs from the positions of the LRO (D1a) structure. Various studies have shown that a fully disordered state cannot be retained by quenching, as the atomic arrangements responsible for the 1½0 maxima are present at temperatures above the critical ordering temperature for LRO. Over 20 studies have attempted to identify the atomic arrangements associated with this state of order. A variety of models have been proposed, but no consensus has been reached. It has also been shown that 1 MeV electron irradiation at low temperatures (∼100 K) can produce the disordered phase in Ni4Mo. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atom probe field ion microscopy (APFIM), and electron irradiation disordering have been applied in the current study to further the understanding of the ordering processes in Ni4Mo.

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