On the various stages of spinodal decomposition in an Al-38 at % Zn alloy

Spinodal decomposition of an Al-38 at % Zn alloy in the temperature range 293 to 573 K has been studied by transmission electron microscopy. Microstructural evidences for the existence of various stages of spinodal decomposition, namely, the initial, the corsening and the particulate stages have been established. The morphological characteristics and the different diffusion regimes under which these stages are operative are explained.