Short range order and atomic interactions in Al-7 and 17 at% Zn single crystals

Abstract Short range order (SRO) in Al Zn ( c = 7 and 17at%) single crystals has been measured by the neutron diffuse scattering technique at temperatures above the miscibility gap. The Warren-Cowley short range order parameters have been obtained by least-squares fit. The results are used to calculate effective chemical interactions by an inverse Monte Carlo method. The introduction of atomic size effects in the system is discussed. The Monte Carlo simulations of a lattice distorted by elastic interactions are compared with experimental results and with point defect approximations. In the concentration range considered, the elastic effects can explain the observed changes in effective pair interactions.