Theoretical derivation of the crystallographic parameters of polytypes of long-period stacking ordered structures with the period of 13 and 14 in hexagonal close-packed system

Based on crystallographic theory, there are 63 kinds of polytypes of 13H long-period stacking order(LPSO) structure,126 kinds of polytypes of 14H LPSO structure, 120 kinds of polytypes of 39R LPSO structure, and 223 kinds of polytypes of 42R LPSO structure in a hexagonal close-packed(HCP) system, and their stacking sequences and space groups have been derived in detail. The result provides a theoretical explanation for the various polytypes of the LPSO structure.     

Three-dimensional size and orientation of the precipitates in AZ91 magnesium alloys measured by TEM techniques

Knowledge of the microscopic structure, including three-dimensional (3-D) size and orientation of the precipitates, is essential to fully understand the mechanical properties of the magnesium alloys and designing the alloys with better performance. Analytical TEM with high spatial resolution offers the simultaneous measurements of 3-D size, structure, orientation, composition of the precipitates from one typical sample along an established crystallographic axis. Besides popular Burgers orientation relationship (OR), other ORs such as Pitsch--Schrader OR, Crawley OR, Potter OR and a new OR with the form of [0001]_α 1.0° from [311]_γ and (11\bar 20)_α 2.0° from (03\bar 3)_γ between the magnesium matrix and the precipitate γ -Mg₁₇Al₁₂ are identified by TEM imaging and diffraction techniques. As a case study, the thicknesses of the individual precipitates with Burgers OR are further measured to be 100--200~nm through both electron energy-loss spectroscopy and x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy combining differential x-ray absorption and extrapolation, which are in agreement with the overall 3-D size statistic distribution results obtained through analysing various samples along various directions. Furthermore, the fabricated wedge-shape structure provides a platform on which to study the dependence of the interfacial strain on the variation of the thickness.