Characterization of Interphase Interfaces Developed During the Ordering Transformation (ε (A3) →τ (L10)) In Manganese-Aluminum Alloys

Abstract Alloys based on the ferromagnetic τ-phase, which may be established in the Mn-Al system for near equiatomic composition [1], exhibit high magnetocrystalline anisotropy and coercivity and are of interest for advanced permanent magnet applications [2], Their technologically important properties depend strongly on the microstructure and defect structure development associated with the transformation from the disordered hexagonal (A3) ε-phase to the ordered tetragonal (L10) τ-phase. The structure, morphology and chemistry of the (ε/τ) interphase interfaces have been studied by methods of optical and electron microscopy (OM, SEM and TEM) in order to determine the nature of this technically important and scientifically interesting phase transformation. The optimization of processing-property relationships for this class of ferromagnetic materials requires a detailed understanding of the mechanisms facilitating the ordering process. The τ-phase nucleates at prior ε-grain boundaries (ε-GB) and exhibits a serrated, faceted growth morphology (FIG. l).