X-ray powder diffraction studies of deformation faults in the metastable face-centred cubic phase of copper-zinc alloys

The BCC-to-FCC phase transformation which occurs in alloys of the copper-zinc system of composition 37-43 at.% zinc, when they are cold-worked after quenching, has been studied by analysing the X-ray powder diffraction line broadening and the peak shifts which occur as the transformation progresses. The major part of the particle size broadening is due to the effects of stacking faults. Peak shifts are due to stacking faults and macrostresses. Estimates of the dislocation densities and stacking fault energies are given for the alloys investigated. The results are compared with those of other workers.