Eutectoid decomposition of intermetallic CuZr

Abstract

The eutectoid decomposition of intermetallic CuZr under isothermal and nonisothermal conditions was studied by differential scanning calorimetry, electrical resistivity measurements, X-ray diffraction analysis, optical microscopy, and dilatometry. The kinetic diagram of the eutectoid decomposition of intermetallic CuZr was determined for the first time. The rate of the eutectoid decomposition of the CuZr phase was found to be one to two orders of magnitude lower than that in many other copper-based systems. The kinetics of the eutectoid decomposition under isothermal conditions was investigated, and the kinetic parameters of the decomposition were determined (the activation energy E_a = 395 ± 24 kJ/mol and the Avrami constant n = 3.3 ± 0.1).