Effects of mechanical grinding and low temperature annealing on crystal structure of Er5Si4

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2013-04, Vol.556, p.127-134
• Main Authors: Cao, Q., Chumbley, L.S., Mudryk, Y., Zou, M., Pecharsky, V.K., Gschneidner, K.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloys; Annealing; Applied sciences; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Crystal structure; Diffraction; Exact sciences and technology; Heat treatment; High resolution powder diffraction; Materials science; Metals. Metallurgy; Other heat and thermomechanical treatments; Peak broadening; Phase transformations; Phase transition; Physics; Production techniques; Residual stress; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Structure of specific crystalline solids; Synchrotron radiation; Synchrotrons; Thermomechanical treatment; Transformations; Treatment of materials and its effects on microstructure and properties; X-ray powder diffraction
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2012.12.102

► Impurity phases exist in orthorhombic Er5Si4:monoclinic 5:4, 1:1 and 5:3. ► Mechanical grinding induces transition from orthorhombic 5:4 to monoclinic 5:4. ► Low temperature annealing reverses the monoclinic 5:4 to orthorhombic 5:4. The effect of mechanical grinding and subsequent low temperature annealing on the orthorhombic to monoclinic structural transition in the Er5Si4 compound was studied by X-ray powder diffraction using both a conventional laboratory Cu Kα1 radiation and a high-energy synchrotron source. A reversible phase transition from the orthorhombic to monoclinic structure occurs as a result of mechanical grinding. Low temperature annealing reverses the transformation and converts the formed monoclinic phase back to the orthorhombic, evidently by relieving residual stress introduced during the grinding.