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Spinodal decomposition and precipitation in Cu–Cr nanocomposite S. Sheibani a,, S. Heshmati-Manesh a , A. Ataie a , A. Caballero b , J.M. Criado b a School of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran b Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Sevilla and Departamento de Quimica Inorganica, CSIC – Universidad de Sevilla, Spain article info Article history: Received 17 September 2013 Received in revised form 3 November 2013 Accepted 4 November 2013 Available online 13 November 2013 Keywords: Spinodal decomposition Copper Nanocomposite Kinetics Mechanical alloying abstract In this study, spinodal decomposition and precipitation mechanism of mechanically alloyed supersaturated Cu–3wt.%Cr and Cu–5wt.%Cr solid solutions was investigated under nonisothermal aging. Decomposition mechanism and kinetics were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Also, the microstructure was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Effect of Al 2 O 3 reinforcement on the aging kinetics was also evaluated. It was found that Cu–3wt.%Cr and Cu–5wt.%Cr solid solutions undergo spinodal decomposition at initial stages of ageing. However, decomposition mechanism was changed to nucleation and growth by the aging progress. The aging kinetics for the Cu–Cr/Al 2 O 3 composition appeared to be slightly faster than that for Cu–Cr, since the ageing activation energy is decreased in presence of Al 2 O 3 nano-particles. This behavior is probably due to the higher dislocation density and other structural defects previously produced during ball milling. A detailed comparison of the DSC results with those obtained by TEM, showing good consistency, has been presented. The average size of Cr-rich precipitates was about 10 nm in the copper matrix. Ó 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction Copper matrix composites reinforced with metallic precipitates, i.e. in situ composites, or ceramic particles have received a great deal of attention during last years. These composites possess advantageous properties, in particular high electrical and thermal conductivity and good mechanical properties. Thus, they are very attractive materials for variant industries [1]. Cu–Cr system is an in situ composite resulting from decomposition of supersaturated Cu–Cr solid solution. Different methods have been used to produce Cu–Cr solid solution. Among them, mechanical alloying has at- tracted a lot of attention in recent years. Extension of Cr solubility in Cu during mechanical alloying and effect of Al 2 O 3 nano-particles reinforcement on the Cr solubility have already been investigated [2,3]. The phase separation phenomenon in various materials has been investigated earlier. For example, nano-scale phase separa- tion in Cu-base glass system has been reviewed in detail by Kim et al. [4]. It has been known that a metastable solid miscibility gap exists in Cu–Cr binary phase diagram due to a large positive mixing heat between Cu and Cr in solid state [5]. Fig. 1 shows the miscibility gap (binodal lines) and spinodal lines imposed on the Cu–Cr binary phase diagram [6]. This characteristic is very close to Cu–Co and Cu–Fe systems [7–10]. By ageing heat treatment of Cu–Cr solid solution, Cr-rich precip- itates in Cu matrix [11–13]. The refinement of Cr particles could clearly improve the electric properties [14,15]. Especially when the size of Cr is in nano-scale, many properties would be improved sharply [16]. Therefore, knowledge of both mechanism and kinet- ics of aging make it possible to characterize the microstructure resulting from different aging conditions. Also, by controlling the kinetics of the precipitation process, it is possible to take advantage of metastable phases in order to promote dispersion of fine-scale coherent particles, thereby enhancing physical or mechanical properties. In general, two precipitation mechanisms are consid- ered: nucleation and growth in dilute Cu–Cr alloys in the miscibil- ity gap and spinodal decomposition in concentrated alloys. Indeed, nucleation is characterized by metastability, while spinodal decomposition is considered to be the mechanism by which phase conversion occurs in an unstable system [17]. The experimental investigations in the liquid phase transforma- tion for Cu–Cr system have been performed in detail by deep supercooling and rapid cooling technologies [18–21]. Additionally, many investigations have been devoted to study the solid state decomposition behavior of Cu–Cr solid solution in the aspects of microstructure, mechanical and electrical properties [11–13,22– 28]. In our previous paper [29], Cr precipitation kinetic through nucleation and growth mechanism has been studied using thermal analysis in Cu–1wt.% Cr alloy. Specially, the effect of the Al 2 O 3 0925-8388/$ - see front matter Ó 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2013.11.019 Corresponding author. Address: School of Metallurgy and Materials Engineer- ing, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 11155-4563, Tehran, Iran. Tel.: +98 912 1958219; fax: +98 21 88006076. E-mail address: [email protected] (S. Sheibani). Journal of Alloys and Compounds 587 (2014) 670–676 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Alloys and Compounds journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jalcom
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Spinodal decomposition and precipitation in Cu–Cr nanocomposite

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Page 1: Spinodal decomposition and precipitation in Cu–Cr nanocomposite

Journal of Alloys and Compounds 587 (2014) 670–676

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

journal homepage: www.elsevier .com/locate / ja lcom

Spinodal decomposition and precipitation in Cu–Cr nanocomposite

0925-8388/$ - see front matter � 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2013.11.019

⇑ Corresponding author. Address: School of Metallurgy and Materials Engineer-ing, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 11155-4563, Tehran, Iran. Tel.: +98 912 1958219;fax: +98 21 88006076.

E-mail address: [email protected] (S. Sheibani).

S. Sheibani a,⇑, S. Heshmati-Manesh a, A. Ataie a, A. Caballero b, J.M. Criado b

a School of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iranb Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Sevilla and Departamento de Quimica Inorganica, CSIC – Universidad de Sevilla, Spain

a r t i c l e i n f o

Article history:Received 17 September 2013Received in revised form 3 November 2013Accepted 4 November 2013Available online 13 November 2013

Keywords:Spinodal decompositionCopperNanocompositeKineticsMechanical alloying

a b s t r a c t

In this study, spinodal decomposition and precipitation mechanism of mechanically alloyedsupersaturated Cu–3wt.%Cr and Cu–5wt.%Cr solid solutions was investigated under nonisothermal aging.Decomposition mechanism and kinetics were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) andX-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Also, the microstructure was characterized by transmission electronmicroscopy (TEM). Effect of Al2O3 reinforcement on the aging kinetics was also evaluated. It was foundthat Cu–3wt.%Cr and Cu–5wt.%Cr solid solutions undergo spinodal decomposition at initial stages ofageing. However, decomposition mechanism was changed to nucleation and growth by the agingprogress. The aging kinetics for the Cu–Cr/Al2O3 composition appeared to be slightly faster than thatfor Cu–Cr, since the ageing activation energy is decreased in presence of Al2O3 nano-particles. Thisbehavior is probably due to the higher dislocation density and other structural defects previouslyproduced during ball milling. A detailed comparison of the DSC results with those obtained by TEM,showing good consistency, has been presented. The average size of Cr-rich precipitates was about10 nm in the copper matrix.

� 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction

Copper matrix composites reinforced with metallic precipitates,i.e. in situ composites, or ceramic particles have received a greatdeal of attention during last years. These composites possessadvantageous properties, in particular high electrical and thermalconductivity and good mechanical properties. Thus, they are veryattractive materials for variant industries [1]. Cu–Cr system is anin situ composite resulting from decomposition of supersaturatedCu–Cr solid solution. Different methods have been used to produceCu–Cr solid solution. Among them, mechanical alloying has at-tracted a lot of attention in recent years. Extension of Cr solubilityin Cu during mechanical alloying and effect of Al2O3 nano-particlesreinforcement on the Cr solubility have already been investigated[2,3].

The phase separation phenomenon in various materials hasbeen investigated earlier. For example, nano-scale phase separa-tion in Cu-base glass system has been reviewed in detail by Kimet al. [4]. It has been known that a metastable solid miscibilitygap exists in Cu–Cr binary phase diagram due to a large positivemixing heat between Cu and Cr in solid state [5]. Fig. 1 showsthe miscibility gap (binodal lines) and spinodal lines imposed on

the Cu–Cr binary phase diagram [6]. This characteristic is veryclose to Cu–Co and Cu–Fe systems [7–10].

By ageing heat treatment of Cu–Cr solid solution, Cr-rich precip-itates in Cu matrix [11–13]. The refinement of Cr particles couldclearly improve the electric properties [14,15]. Especially whenthe size of Cr is in nano-scale, many properties would be improvedsharply [16]. Therefore, knowledge of both mechanism and kinet-ics of aging make it possible to characterize the microstructureresulting from different aging conditions. Also, by controlling thekinetics of the precipitation process, it is possible to take advantageof metastable phases in order to promote dispersion of fine-scalecoherent particles, thereby enhancing physical or mechanicalproperties. In general, two precipitation mechanisms are consid-ered: nucleation and growth in dilute Cu–Cr alloys in the miscibil-ity gap and spinodal decomposition in concentrated alloys. Indeed,nucleation is characterized by metastability, while spinodaldecomposition is considered to be the mechanism by which phaseconversion occurs in an unstable system [17].

The experimental investigations in the liquid phase transforma-tion for Cu–Cr system have been performed in detail by deepsupercooling and rapid cooling technologies [18–21]. Additionally,many investigations have been devoted to study the solid statedecomposition behavior of Cu–Cr solid solution in the aspects ofmicrostructure, mechanical and electrical properties [11–13,22–28]. In our previous paper [29], Cr precipitation kinetic throughnucleation and growth mechanism has been studied using thermalanalysis in Cu–1wt.% Cr alloy. Specially, the effect of the Al2O3

Page 2: Spinodal decomposition and precipitation in Cu–Cr nanocomposite

Fig. 1. Cu–Cr binary phase diagram with metastable liquid miscibility gap. Thebinodal and spinodal lines imposed on the diagram [5].

S. Sheibani et al. / Journal of Alloys and Compounds 587 (2014) 670–676 671

nano-particles reinforcement on the kinetic of precipitation wasalso studied [29]. Based on Fig. 1, Cu–1wt.% Cr alloy compositionlies within the miscibility gap. However, detailed investigationon decomposition mechanism of Cu–Cr solid solution with higherCr composition has not been reported yet and there is considerableambiguity regarding the nature of decomposition in alloys in thespinodal region. The aim of this work is to study the decompositionkinetics and its mechanism in Cu–3wt.% Cr and Cu–5 wt.% Cr alloyswhich lies just inside the spinodal region using thermal analysis,XRD and TEM techniques. Also, the precipitation behavior of Crparticles in presence of Al2O3 nano-particle reinforcement wasstudied.

2. Experimental procedure

Cu–Cr solid solution powders were used for the aging kinetic measurements.Alloys with nominal compositions of 3 and 5wt.% Cr were prepared throughmechanical alloying for 80 h in a Fritsch P5 planetary ball mill with ceramic vial(350 ml) and balls (10 and 15 mm in diameter) under argon atmosphere. The ballto powder weight ratio and milling speed were 30:1 and 300 rpm, respectively.The milling of samples was carried out with 1 wt.% toluene as the process controlagent. In the first step of milling, Cr and Al2O3 powder mixture was pre-milled sep-arately for 10 h and then mechanically alloyed with Cu. Complete experimental de-tails and details of extended solid solution formation were reported elsewhere [2,3].The samples and chemical composition of prepared alloys are listed in Table 1.

DSC experiments were performed in a SDT Q600 instrument and argon gas flowof 100 ml/min was applied during the measurement. All experiments were carriedout on samples in standard platinum pans, with an empty pan as the standard. Themeasurements were performed at four different heating rates, i.e. 5, 10, 15 and20 K/min in the temperature range of 300–1273 K. Initial DSC results indicated thatthe decomposition of the Cu-Cr alloy, with the composition here studied, was notcompleted at heating rates higher than 20 K/min. Therefore, heating rates not high-er than 20 K/min were used for recording the DSC diagrams. Once the samples werecooled down to room temperature, a second set of DSC curves was recorded at thesame heating rates previously used for recording the corresponding DSC curves ofthe first set to be used as base line. A precise measure of the heat flow can thusbe obtained by measuring and integrating the difference between the first and sec-ond scans.

The phase identification of the products was carried out by XRD (Philips PW-3710) using Co Ka radiation (k = 0.17407 nm). The lattice parameters were calcu-lated from XRD data. High angle reflections (111), (200), (331), and (210) wereused to determine lattice parameters. The true lattice parameter was determinedby least-squares regression of the values calculated from each reflection against

Table 1Chemical compositions of the alloys used in the present investigations.

Sample Chemical composition

S1 Cu–3wt.% CrS2 Cu–3wt.% Cr–3wt.% Al2O3

S3 Cu–5wt.% CrS4 Cu–5wt.% Cr–3wt.% Al2O3

cosh.coth, taking the lattice parameter as the intercept of the regression line [11].The microstructure of the samples was examined by transmission electron micro-scope TEM (Philips CM200, operated at 200 kV).

3. Results and discussion

DSC traces of the mechanically alloyed powders obtained at dif-ferent heating rates are presented in Fig. 2. The DSC scans showoverlapping exothermic peaks for all of the samples. Therefore, thissystem exhibits complex exothermic phase transformations inwhich the identification of the peaks requires several types ofexperiments and a detailed analysis of the data. This DSC feature,i.e. two or three broad and poorly separated exothermic peaks, istypical for the decomposition of highly supersaturated solid solu-tions [30–33]. However, DSC results of Cu–Cr alloy with a compo-sition outside of the spinodal region, presented in our previouspaper [29], consist of only one peak. Therefore, the large width ofthese traces indicates that the kinetics of decomposition in thesealloys cannot be modeled by a single and simple nucleation andgrowth process, since this would give rise to a narrower DSC peak[34,35]. These evidences prove conclusively that the spinodaldecomposition is probably responsible for the observed behaviorin DSC experiments. In order to get a better understanding of theprobable spinodal decomposition, more precise evaluations basedon the enthalpy calculation, XRD and TEM results are needed.

The enthalpy changes associated with the exothermic peaks(DHcalculated) was calculated from the integration of the overallDSC curves. The average values of enthalpies for each sample aresummarized in Table 2. On the other hand, theoretical exothermicthermal effects (DHtheoretical) accompanying with the decomposi-tion of supersaturated Cu3 wt.% Cr and Cu-5 wt.% Cr alloys calcu-lated using CALPHAD [5,32] method are summarized in Table 2.A quantitative agreement of the heat release during phase separa-tion of the milled solid solution samples with the theoretical en-thalpy is observed. This agreement is particularly remarkable inview of the fact that overall overlapped peak is related to the Crprecipitation.

The samples were further analyzed by XRD before and after DSCmeasurements. The XRD patterns of the mechanically alloyed andaged samples of S1, S2, S3 and S4 are shown in Fig. 3. Mechanicallyalloyed sample exhibits broadened peaks, typical of ball milledsamples. Meanwhile, the peak width for the aged sample is smal-ler. Also, a small shift of Cu peak to higher angle after ageing ob-served in Fig. 3 reveals that Cu lattice parameter has decreased.

Cu lattice parameters before and after aging heat treatment arelisted in Table 3. The decrease in the Cu lattice parameter to0.36149 nm (approximately the same as that of pure Cu) may beattributed to the precipitation of the Cr. This could be attributedto the completion of the precipitation process. In fact, Cr soluteatoms are driven out of the solid solution and Cu lattice parameteris decreased during the ageing. It should be noted that XRD resultsafter DSC measurements at different heating rates did not show anobvious change, and similar results were obtained. Therefore, itwas confirmed by XRD results that the exothermic transformationduring thermal analysis is related to Cr precipitation. This also con-firms that overall exothermic peaks were due to solid solutiondecomposition according with the conclusion from enthalpy calcu-lations. However, the diffraction peak corresponding to Cr was notobserved in the XRD patterns, due to its small quantity.

Regarding to the Cr precipitation completion, the reasons ofpresence of two overlapping peaks in DSC traces can now be ex-plained precisely. Fig. 4 shows the Cu-rich side of the partial Cu–Cr phase diagram in which the compositions of the samples are in-serted. In the previous paper [29], it was shown that the phasedecomposition in the Cu–1wt.%Cr alloy occurred through nucle-ation and growth mechanism. It is clear from Fig. 4 that, depending

Page 3: Spinodal decomposition and precipitation in Cu–Cr nanocomposite

Fig. 2. DSC curves of S1, S2, S3 and S4 samples at different heating rates.

Table 2Enthalpy changes and activation energy for different samples.

Sample DHexperimental (J/g) DHtheoretical (J/g) E (kJ/mol)

S1 45.50 ± 3.17 47.21 118 ± 4S2 48.25 ± 3.50 47.21 85 ± 1S3 79.50 ± 5.82 78.3 107 ± 1S4 82.12 ± 5.80 78.3 58 ± 3

672 S. Sheibani et al. / Journal of Alloys and Compounds 587 (2014) 670–676

on alloy composition and temperature, Cr-rich precipitates can beformed in two ways: spinodal decomposition and/ or nucleationand growth. This behavior was discussed in details by Kim et al.[4] for different systems. Since all S1, S2, S3, S4 samples have nom-inal compositions within the spinodal region, their decompositionat low temperatures should be of the spinodal type in the initialstage. When temperature is increased high enough over the

spinodal line, precipitation will proceed through nucleation andgrowth. For example, decomposition mechanism in S1 and S2 sam-ples at low temperatures up to 600 K is of spinodal type and athigher temperatures would be nucleation and growth. Similarly,the transition temperature for S3 and S4 samples is proposed tobe 845 K. Appearance of two peaks in DSC curves during precipita-tion is probably related to transition of precipitation mechanismfrom spinodal to nucleation and growth.

In order to evaluate the transition temperature more clearly forexperimental data, the fractional conversion, a, can be easily ob-tained by partial integration of DSC curve [36]. Fig. 5 shows thea-T plots at different heating rates for all samples. Based on thea-T plots shape, experimental transition temperatures are shownby dashed arrows. As is seen, the aging process can be divided intotwo steps and the transformed fraction is small at the early stage ofthe aging. In summary, two conclusions could be drawn:

Page 4: Spinodal decomposition and precipitation in Cu–Cr nanocomposite

Fig. 3. XRD patterns of S1, S2, S3 and S4 samples before and after aging.

Table 3Cu lattice parameters values (nm) before and after aging heat treatment for differentsamples.

Sample Before aging After aging

S1 0.36237 0.36159S2 0.36251 0.36157S3 0.36293 0.36162S4 0.36299 0.36160

Fig. 4. The Curich side of partial Cu–Cr phase diagram on the Cu-rich side [5] withsamples compositions inserted in it.

S. Sheibani et al. / Journal of Alloys and Compounds 587 (2014) 670–676 673

I Theoretical approach to the precipitation mechanismchange in the Cu–Cr system is valid, at least in the Cr richside. However, experimental transition temperatures arelower than suggested equilibrium values by Fig. 4. Thisis more considerable for S3 and S4 samples. It can beexplained by the following reasons. First, low precisionof spinodal lines in Cu–Cr diagram. Second, the transfor-mation in spinodal decomposition is essentially a diffu-sional process [37]. Low temperature range of spinodaldecomposition could result in a decrease of transitiontemperatures due to a slower diffusion of atoms. But itis noteworthy to emphasize that the spinodal lines remainambiguously defined because of the progressive transitionfrom the spinodal decomposition to nucleation andgrowth process.

II By the comparison, the effectiveness of Al2O3 nano-parti-cles on conversion rate of S2 and S4 samples can be foundin both spinodal and nucleation and growth stages. In order

Page 5: Spinodal decomposition and precipitation in Cu–Cr nanocomposite

Fig. 5. a-temperature plots at different heating rates for S1, S2, S3 and S4 samples. The experimental transition temperatures are shown by dashed arrows.

Fig. 6. TEM micrograph of aged S3 sample in the range of first DSC peak.

674 S. Sheibani et al. / Journal of Alloys and Compounds 587 (2014) 670–676

to compare the influence of Al2O3 nano-particles on agingkinetics behavior in more detail, activation energies, E,were calculated. Calculation of E is based on a multiple-scan method in which several measurements performedat different heating rates. This value has been determinedfrom the isoconversional Kissinger equation [32], and sum-marized in Table 2. It can be seen that E was decreased inpresence of Al2O3 nano-particles. For example in Cu–3wt.%Cr sample E has been dropped from 118 kJ/mol to85 kJ/mol in Cu–3wt.%Cr composition. These can probablybe caused by the higher dislocation density and otherstructural defects generated during ball milling in presenceof Al2O3 [3]. Both factors increase the effective diffusivity ofCr and also nucleation sites [29] which accelerate agingprocess. It should be noted that, there is probably some dis-crepancies in effectiveness of Al2O3 on spinodal and nucle-ation and growth stages. Spinodal process is accompaniedby the spontaneous growth of the inherent concentrationfluctuation at the beginning of aging, because there is noenergy barrier for the decomposition and the precipitationof Cr-rich phase [38]. During the second stage of aging,structural defects and Al2O3–Cu interface serve as preferrednucleation sites.

Even though DSC results were strong evidences of alloy decom-position through both spinodal and then nucleation and growthmechanisms, it is desirable to get it confirmed by additional evi-dences. The aim of TEM studies was not only to characterize themicrostructure but also to obtain additional evidence on the nature

of transformation. Therefore, the microstructure of S3 sample afterageing in the range of first DSC peak was investigated by TEM. TheS3 sample was aged up to 550 K with heating rate of 5 K/min andthen quenched. TEM micrograph of this sample is shown in Fig. 6.It shows typical features of spinodal alloys such as periodic array of

Page 6: Spinodal decomposition and precipitation in Cu–Cr nanocomposite

Fig. 7. TEM micrograph of S3 sample aged in the range of second DSC peak.

Fig. 8. TEM micrograph of S3 nanocomposite aged completely.

S. Sheibani et al. / Journal of Alloys and Compounds 587 (2014) 670–676 675

phases and absence of preferential precipitation at microstructuralinhomogeneities such as grain boundaries and dislocations. Thecorresponding ring-type selected area diffraction (SAD) pattern inthe inset is related to copper. Also, additional spots can be seenin SAD pattern. In the case of spinodal decomposition compositionfluctuations are typical with dominant wavelength, so additionalspots on diffraction pattern could arise [4].

Fig. 7 shows TEM micrograph of the S3 sample aged up to 800 Kat a heating rate of 5 K/min and then quenched. In fact, this micro-structure is related to the sample after ageing in the range of sec-ond DSC peak. It can be seen that spinodally decomposed tweed-like morphology, characteristic of the spinodal products, has beendecreased. It confirms some discrete second phase particlesshowed by arrows distribute within the matrix. As a matter of fact,Fig. 7 shows the microstructure at different ageing condition withnucleation and growth mechanism.

A typical TEM image of a S3 nanocomposite aged up to 900 K ata heating rate of 5 K/min is shown in Fig. 8. The morphology ofdecomposed phases consisted of discrete Cr-rich precipitates with-in the fine Cu grains. It can be found that at the end of the agingprocess the structure had changed to one consisting entirely of dis-crete particles. This final stage of morphological developments rep-resents the loss of coarsened spinodal structures. Cu matrix grainsize is less than 100 nm and also, the average Cr-rich precipitatessize is about 10 nm.

4. Conclusions

Decomposition mechanism of supersaturated Cu–3 wt.%Cr andCu–5 wt.%Cr produced by mechanical alloying was studied usingDSC, XRD and TEM. DSC results showed that all samples exhibit abroad exothermic double peak upon heating which mainly origi-nates from the decomposition of the supersaturated solid solution.A decomposition scheme which begins with spinodal decomposi-tion and ends with nucleation and growth at higher temperaturewas proposed. Kinetics of decomposition is found to be faster inpresence of Al2O3 nano-particles. It was found that the precipita-tion activation energy decreases in presence of Al2O3. Presence ofAl2O3 accelerates ageing response, primarily due to the higher dis-location density and other structural defects generated during ballmilling. Both factors increase the effective diffusivity of Cr and sub-sequently the rate of the ageing. Also, TEM images agree well withthe DSC results. TEM results support the view that, at initial courseof aging the microstructure was similar to that of spinodal decom-position. However, the homogeneously distributed Cr nano-parti-cles in nanostructured copper matrix have been obtained atcompletely aged sample.

Acknowledgments

The support of this work by University of Tehran and Iran Nano-technology Initiative Council is gratefully acknowledged. The min-istry of science, research and technology of Iran is thanked forfunding the first author’s sabbatical research in the Instituto deCiencia de Materiales de Sevilla (CSIC – Universidad de Sevilla).We also thank to the Spanish government for financial support(Project ENE 2007-67926-C02-01).

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