Quantitative description of the T1 formation kinetics in an Al-Cu-Li alloy using differential scanning calorimetry, small-angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy

The object of the present study is to design a methodology to follow the kinetics of T-1 precipitation, in an AA2198 alloy, in terms of precipitate size, morphology (thickness, diameter) and volume fraction, during a two-temperature isothermal heat treatment. We used in situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) as a way to measure the evolution of the T-1 mean thickness and diameter during the heat treatment. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was then performed in order to calibrate these evolutions. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the volume fraction evolution can be described successfully using a simple analysis of the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms. The latter was calibrated by selected observations in high angular annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). Microstructure evolution during DSC heating ramps was analysed using in situ SAXS: the T-1 phase transformation is found to consist in a two-step thickening process explained by two consecutive diffusion stages. The enthalpy of formation of the T-1 phase is deduced from the DSC measurements.