The effect of ion irradiation (Ar⁺, E = 10 keV) on the nanocrystalline structure and the aging of the Al-Li-Cu-Zn-Mg-Zr-Sc alloy after megaplastic deformation

The effect of Ar⁺ ion irradiation on structural and phase transformations in a 1461 alloy (Al–Li–Cu–Mg) subjected to megaplastic deformationhas has been studied by transmission electron microscopy. Short-term irradiation (E = 10 keV, F = 2 × 10¹⁶ cm⁻²) has been established to form a low-energy recrystallized submicrocrystalline structure at a depth (∼200 μm), significantly exceeding the projective ion ranges (∼10 nm). The study confirms the important role of the radiation-dynamic effect during the ion irradiation of metastable media. The structural and phase transformations take place in the alloy at a depth of much higher than the projective ion ranges and at a higher rate compared with traditional thermal annealing. (paper)