Abstract: Nanocrystalline Pd films were produced by electron-beam evaporation and sputter deposition. The electron-beam-evaporated films reveal randomly oriented nanograins with a relatively high density of growth twins, unexpected in view of the high stacking fault energy of Pd. In contrast, sputter-deposited films show a clear 〈1 1 1〉 crystallographic textured nanostructure without twins. These results provide insightful information to guide the generation of microstructures with enhanced strength/ductility balance in high stacking fault energy nanocrystalline metallic thin films.

Abstract: The microstructure of a Fe-Mn-Si-Al twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steel exhibiting remarkable work hardening rate under uniaxial tensile deformation was investigated using transmission electron microscopy to uncover the mechanism(s) controlling the nucleation and growth of the mechanically induced twins. The results show that the stair-rod cross-slip deviation mechanism is necessary for the formation of the twins, while large extrinsic stacking faults homogenously distributed within the grains could act as preferential sources for the activation of the deviation process. The influence of such features on the thickness and strength of the twins and the resulting mechanical behaviour is discussed and compared to similar works recently performed on Fe-Mn-C TWIP steels.

Abstract: Carbonaceous spherules of millimeter size diameter and found in the upper soils throughout Europe are investigated by TEM, including SAED, HRTEM and EELS, and Raman spectroscopy. The spherules consist primarily of carbon and have an open cell-like internal structure. Most of the carbon appears in an amorphous state, but different morphologies of nano- and microdiamond particles have also been discovered including flake shapes. The latter observation, together with the original findings of some of these spherules in crater-like structures in the landscape and including severely deformed rocks with some spherules being embedded in the fused crust of excavated rocks, points towards unique conditions of origin for these spherules and particles, possibly of exogenic origin. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The present work reports on the microstructural evolution of a new heat of 24% cold worked austenitic DIN 1.4970 (15-15Ti) nuclear cladding steel subjected to ageing heat treatments of varying duration between 500 and 800 degrees C (by steps of 100 degrees C). The primary aim was studying the finely dispersed Ti-C nanoprecipitate population, which are thought to be beneficial for creep and swelling resistance during service. Their size distribution and number density were estimated through dark field imaging and bright field Moire imaging techniques in the transmission electron microscope. Nanoprecipitates formed at and above 600 degrees C, which is a lower temperature than previously reported. The observed nucleation, growth and coarsening behavior of the nanoprecipitates were consistent with simple diffusion arguments. The formation of nanoprecipitates coincided with significant dissociation of dislocations as evidenced by weak beam dark field imaging. Possible mechanisms, including Silcock's stacking fault growth model and Suzuki segregation, are discussed. Recrystallization observed after extended ageing at 800 degrees C caused the redissolution of nanoprecipitates. Large primary Ti(C,N) and (Ti,Mo)C precipitates that occur in the as-received material, and M23C6 precipitates that nucleate on grain boundaries at low temperatures were also characterized by a selective dissolution procedure involving filtration, X-ray diffraction and quantitative Rietveld refinement. The partitioning of key elements between the different phases was derived by combining these findings and was consistent with thermodynamic considerations and the processing history of the steel. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The precipitation mechanism of the Q phase in Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloys has long been the subject of ambiguity and debate since its metastable phase (Q 0) has the same crystal structure and similar lattice parameters as its equilibrium counterparts. In the present work, the evolution of the Q 0 (Q) phase during aging is studied by combination of quantitative atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography. It was found that the transformation from the Q 0 to the Q phase involves changes of the occupancy of Al atoms in atomic columns of the Q 0 (Q) phase. The Al atoms incorporated in the Cu, Si and Mg columns are gradually released into the Al matrix, while mixing between Cu and Si atoms occurs in the Si columns. This transformation process is mainly attributed to the low lattice misfit of the equilibrium Q phase. Besides, the formation of various compositions of the Q phase is due to the different occupancy in the atomic columns of the Q phase. The occupancy changes in the columns of the Q phase are kinetically controlled and are strongly influenced by the alloy composition and aging temperature.

Abstract: High-resolution transmission electron microscopy was performed on compacted Ni(3)Al nanostructured material prepared by the inert gas condensation technique. From electron diffraction data an incomplete L1(2) ordering of the crystallites is observed in the free particles as well as in the room temperature compacted samples. However, a completely ordered L1(2) structure with much bigger and well-defined crystallites exhibiting several defects is observed in material compacted and annealed at 773 K. Sharp crystallite boundaries as well as amorphous material and voids are observed in between crystallites in all samples, the former being dominant in the annealed material, the latter in the as-prepared one.

Abstract: The mechanical properties of olivine-rich rocks are key to determining the mechanical coupling between Earth's lithosphere and asthenosphere. In crystalline materials, the motion of crystal defects is fundamental to plastic flow(1-4.) However, because the main constituent of olivine-rich rocks does not have enough slip systems, additional deformation mechanisms are needed to satisfy strain conditions. Experimental studies have suggested a non-Newtonian, grain-size-sensitive mechanism in olivine involving grain-boundary sliding(5,6). However, very few microstructural investigations have been conducted on grain-boundary sliding, and there is no consensus on whether a single or multiple physical mechanisms are at play. Most importantly, there are no theoretical frameworks for incorporating the mechanics of grain boundaries in polycrystalline plasticity models. Here we identify a mechanism for deformation at grain boundaries in olivine-rich rocks. We show that, in forsterite, amorphization takes place at grain boundaries under stress and that the onset of ductility of olivine-rich rocks is due to the activation of grain-boundary mobility in these amorphous layers. This mechanism could trigger plastic processes in the deep Earth, where high-stress conditions are encountered (for example, at the brittle-plastic transition). Our proposed mechanism is especially relevant at the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary, where olivine reaches the glass transition temperature, triggering a decrease in its viscosity and thus promoting grain-boundary sliding.

Abstract: The stability of Ni in titanium oxide surface layers on nitinol wires known to release certain amounts of Ni was investigated by first principles density functional theory and transmission electron microscopy. The oxides were identified as a combination of TiO and TiO2 depending on the thickness of the layer. The calculations indicate that free Ni atoms can exist in TiO at ambient temperature while Ni particles form in TiO2, which was confirmed by the transmission electron microscopy observations. The results are discussed with respect to surface stability and Ni release due to free Ni atoms and Ni particles.