Phase transformations and age-hardening behaviors related to Au3Cu in Au-Cu-Pd alloys.

: Phase transformation behaviors in Au-Cu-Pd alloys were investigated by means of electrical resistivity measurements, hardness tests, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Anisothermal and isothermal annealing were performed. Two types of phase transformations were found, namely related to the single phase of Au3Cu and the coexistent phase of Au3Cu and AuCu I. The latter produced more remarkable hardening than the former. Hardening was brought about by the antiphase domain size effect of Au3Cu ordered phase in the single phase and by the formation of AuCu I ordered phase in the Au3Cu ordered matrix. There are three modes of phase transformation in the coexistent region depending on the composition. Each sequence is discussed.