AN AL13FE4 PHASE IN THE AL-CU-FE ALLOY SYSTEM

The Cu-containing Al13Fe4 phase was studied by X-ray diffractometry, electron microscopy and thermal analysis The increase in the Cu concentration results in a decrease in the melting temperature. No structural variations were observed in this compound up to a limiting Cu concentration of about 6 at.%. The increase in the Cu content is realized by the permanent replacement of the Al atoms by Cu in the (x0z) plane of the binary Al13Fe4 structure at the (0.5, 0, 0.5) and (0.919, 0, 0.216) positions as determined for the 4 at.% Cu phase. The effect of the substitution of Cu for Al is discussed. with respect to the absorption of electrons by Fe atoms in (Al, Cu)13Fe4.