The Al FeBe₄ Intermetallic Phase in Beryllium

Abstract

X-ray diffracfion analysis has been used to determine the nature and relative concentration of the phases present in diffusion welded joints of fairly high purity beryllium. The analyses were done in conjunction with the major objective of the work which was to correlate the types and amounts of phases in the weld joint with the weld processing variables.The beryllium used contained less than one percent by weight of alloying elements. Those elements present in major amounts were aluminum, less than 0.10 weight percent (less than 0.033 atom percent)and iron, less than 0.15 weight percent (less than 0.023 atom percent).A phase concentration technique was used to obtain the quantities of phases required for positive identification. X-ray powder patterns obtained from the residues provided detailed diffraction data of which those for the phase Al Fe Be4, are of particular interest. These data are compared with the findings of other research investigations.Experimental procedures are discussed in detail and a summary of the test results in included.