Multi-stage phase transformation pathways in MAX phases.

ABSTRACT: Diverse, multi-stage phase transformations occur in many materials under extreme environments. In response to irradiation, some MAX phase compositions transform from an initial hexagonal structure to an intermediate γ-phase, then to a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure, while others instead become amorphous. To date, no comprehensive description of the associated transformation mechanisms, or of the influence of composition on this phase behavior, has been reported. In this work, we combine in situ ion irradiation, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and density-functional theory (DFT) calculations to demonstrate the distinct transformation pathways and corresponding energetics of the γ-to-fcc transformation in a series of MAX phases. We show that structural distortion and bond covale

SUBMITTER: Zhao S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11814106 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature