Short-Duration Financial Aid for Major Instrument (Atom Probe Tomography - Saarland University)

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Frank Mücklich
• Subject Area: Thermodynamics and Kinetics as well as Properties of Phases and Microstructure of Materials ; Coating and Surface Technology
• Term: from 2012 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 231495704

The B2-RuAl intermetallic system combines excellent high temperature properties along with high ductility at room temperature where the synthesis reaction is highly exothermic. RuAl is interesting for thin film applications since it could be used as multi-layer foils for reactive joining or as a protective layer material for press tools. RuAl is an alternative to classical materials which have limited ductility at room temperature for these applications. The project is directed to study the behavior and distribution of RuAl elements as multilayer thin films on the nanoscale using Atom Probe Tomography (APT) technique. Amongst various characterization techniques APT is one of the most promising tools to analyze atomic distribution in three-dimensions with near atomic resolution. The locations and distribution of the Ru and Al atoms can be precisely identified using APT. With this atomistic analysis the inter-diffusion areas in RuAl multilayers can be investigated. This is believed to yield useful information that would help explain the intermixing process which is considered one of the main key-points controlling the multilayer exothermic reaction under fast heating as well as the phase formation during slow heating conditions.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants