The self-diffusion of Mn and Pd in a single-grain icosahedral Al69.9Pd20.5Mn9.6 quasicrystal was determined by using low-energy ion-scattering. The diffusion was determined by depositing various elements (Pd, Mn) onto the surface and measuring the rate of change in surface composition as a function of temperature using low-energy ion-scattering. The surface composition was monitored at 355 to 575K for Mn, and at 440 to 745K for Pd, and compared with model calculations in order to determine the activation energy for diffusion. Activation energies of 0.20eV for Mn, and 0.64eV for Pd, were measured for self diffusion in i-Al–Pd–Mn. No deviation from Arrhenius behavior was detected within the temperature range covered by the present experiments. On the basis of the low values of activation energy, it was proposed that this range of diffusion was phason-related; reflecting the nature of the icosahedral structure.

Surface Layer Self Diffusion in Icosahedral Al-Pd-Mn Quasicrystals. F.Samavat, M.J.Gladys, C.J.Jenks, T.A.Lograsso, B.V.King, D.J.O’Connor: Surface Science, 2007, 601[24], 5678-82