Investigation of movement of average solute concentration under irradiation environment

Abstract

The movement of an average concentration of Zn inside and outside the matrix in a room temperature aged A1, Zn alloy under irradiation environment has been studied, using small angle neutron scattering (SANS). The samples of A1–11.8 at % Zn alloy were irradiated with 2Mev electrons with a flux of 10¹⁴ electrons/cm²-s for different periods of time. It is observed that at low doses the average Zn concentration in the precipitates decreases and consequently it moves into the matrix. On further doses of irradiation some of the Zn atoms from the matrix return to the remaining precipitate, resulting in an increase of Zn concentration in the precipitates, but never attaining the original value.