An X-ray absorption spectroscopy investigation of the local atomic structure in Cu-Ni-Si alloy after severe plastic deformation and ageing

The local atomic structure of Cu-Ni-Si alloy after severe plastic deformation (SPD) processing and the decomposition of supersaturated solid solution upon annealing were investigated by means of X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The coordination number and interatomic distances were obtained by analyzing experimental extend X-ray absorption fine structure data collected at the Ni K-edge. Results indicate that the environment of Ni atoms in Cu-Ni-Si alloy is strongly influenced by the deformation process. Moreover, ageing at 973K affects strongly the atomic structure around the Ni atoms in Cu-Ni-Si deformed by equal channel angular pressing and high pressure torsion. This influence is discussed in terms of changes and decomposition features of the Cu-Ni-Si solid solution.