Papers by Author: Chu Chun Fu

Abstract: The decomposition of Fe-Cr solid solutions during thermal aging is modeled by Atomistic Kinetic Monte Carlo (AKMC) simulations, using a rigid lattice approximation with composition dependant pair interactions that can reproduce the change of sign of the mixing energy with the alloy composition. The interactions are fitted on ab initio mixing energies and on the experimental phase diagram, as well as on the migration barriers in iron and chromium rich phases. Simulated kinetics is compared with 3D atom probe and neutron scattering experiments.

Abstract: Carbon atoms are always present in Fe-based materials, either as impurities even in high purity samples or as an intrinsic constituent in steels. Density Functional Theory calculations have been performed to study the interaction between C atoms and vacancies (V) in α-Fe. We find that the formation of VCn complexes is energetically favourable for n ≤ 3, with VC2 being the most stable one. The energy gain corresponding to the clustering reaction VCn-1 + C → VCn depends mainly on the strength of C-C covalent bonds. The vacancy diffusivity is shown to be significantly modified by the formation of vacancy-carbon complexes, exhibiting non-Arrhenius behaviour. Effective vacancy diffusion coefficients in α-Fe are calculated as a function of temperature and carbon content using a simplified thermodynamic model. The results are discussed in detail in the limiting case of excess of C with respect to vacancies.

Abstract: We present Monte Carlo simulations of the first stages of the coherent precipitation of Cu in α-Fe during thermal ageing and under irradiation. The simulations are based on a diffusion model by vacancy and self-interstitial jumps, the parameters of which are fitted on ab initio calculations. The simulations of precipitation kinetics during thermal ageing are compared with experimental ones. They reveal that precipitates containing up to several tens of atoms can be much more mobile than individual copper atoms, due to the trapping of vacancies in Cu. Monte Carlo simulations are also used to analyze the coupling between fluxes of point defects and Cu which occurs under irradiation and the possible resulting radiation induced segregation phenomena.

Abstract: The vacancy properties in group-IV hexagonal close-packed metals (Ti, Zr and Hf) have been investigated by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations performed with the SIESTA code. The migration energies are found to be systematically lower by »0.15 eV within the basal plane than out of the basal plane. The electronic origin of this significant contribution to diffusion anisotropy is evidenced by the analysis of the local electronic densities of states and by a comparison with and empirical potential. The average value of the migra- tion energy is in very good agreement with available experimental data in Zr. The activation energies for self-diffusion obtained assuming a vacancy mechanism are in good agreement with experiments in Zr and Hf, although slightly too small, but a significant discrepancy is observed in Ti.

Abstract: The thermodynamic and kinetic properties of Fe-Cu alloys are studied by ab initio calculations, in the framework of a multiscale modeling of precipitation kinetics. The configuration energies at various compositions, the solute migration and binding energies, as well as the vacancy formation and binding energies are computed. The effects of the local copper distribution on the migration barriers are considered. We show that a simple diffusion model with effective interactions on a rigid lattice, which includes a description of the saddle-point configurations, captures the main features of the energetic landscapes explored by the vacancy during its diffusion in dilute and concentrated configurations.