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 x 10(16) cm(-2)) has been established to form a low-energy recrystallized submicrocrystalline structure at a depth (similar to 200 mu m), significantly exceeding the projective ion ranges (similar to 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.