The X-ray Diffraction Study of Deformations in the Copper Matrix of Cu-Te Alloys

Detailed studies considering the recent developments in the analysis of line shift, line asymmetry and Fourier lineshape have been made on the X-ray diffraction profiles pertaining to the pure copper phase in the composite matrix of Cu and Cu2Te (hexagonal) phases in Cu-Te alloys with solute tellurium at 3.30, 5.62, 12.02 and 13.08 wt.%. The microstructural parameters such as the coherent domain sizes, the microstrains within the domains, the intrinsic fault density, alpha ', the extrinsic fault density, alpha " and deformation twin fault density, beta , have been evaluated. While the intrinsic fault density, alpha ', and the extrinsic fault density, alpha ", were found to be absent even at higher solute contents, the deformation twin fault density, beta , which is normally absent in Cu and Cu-base alloy systems, is found to be present here in an appreciable quantity. The reason for the presence of this deformation twin fault in the Cu phase may be attributed to the influence of a neighbouring Cu2Te phase in the matrix.