A precipitate phase in AA2124

A new precipitate phase (designated X phase) other than the S(Al₂CuMg) precipitate phase has been discovered in the 2124 aluminium alloy. Using selected-area electron diffraction analysis, dynamical diffraction simulation, energy dispersion analysis of X-rays and high-resolution electron microscopy, it is suggested that the X phase has an orthorhombic crystal structure witha=0.492 nm,b=0.852 nm andc=0.701 nm. The space group of the phase is Cmmm. There are 10 atoms in a cell with AlCuMg=244. The orientation relationship between the X phase and the matrix is determined as (1–10)_m(010)_x, –1–1–1]_m 001]_x.