FORMATION OF GUINIER-PRESTON ZONES IN CU-BE ALLOYS

The results of an electrical resistivity study of G.P. zone formation in copper-beryllium alloys from 3.3 to 12.6 at.% are reported. The electrical resistivity during zone formation shows a characteristic peak. Quenching from a range of temperatures enabled the activation energy of vacancy formation to be determined and gave activation energies close to 1 eV. Ageing at a range of temperatures enabled the activation energy for vacancy motion to be determined as 0.6-1.1 eV dependent upon composition. The significance of the data is discussed and tentative explanations are proposed for the observed activation energies. The data show a binding energy of ~0.2 eV and the significance of this is discussed. © 1968.