Atomic scale investigation of boron nanosegregation in Fe Al intermetallics

International audienceThe atomic scale distribution of boron in FeAl alloys were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Emphasis is put on boron segregation to intragranular lattice defects. Field ion microscopy (FIM) combined to three-dimensional atom probe exhibited the presence of decorated planar defects. The boron concentration was as high as 40 at.% whereas aluminum was found depleted (10 at.%). The iron level remained constant. The diffusion of boron-vacancy complexes and their agglomeration on aluminum sites in \001\ planes is a possible scenario for the formation of these boron-enriched/aluminum-depleted stacking faults