Atom probe field ion microscopy in investigation of the early interreaction stages in Al/Ni couples

In order to obtain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of the early st ages of interreaction, atom probe field ion microscopy (APFIM) investigatio ns where performed on Al-Ni-interreaction couples in the as-prepared state, and on couples annealed at 350 and 550 degrees C. The couples consisted of a Ni-FIM-tip and an deposited Al-layer. Al-deposition was performed by e(- )-beam evaporation directly in the microscope vacuum chamber. APFIM measure ments allow the identification of different phases after specimen annealing and reveal a microstructure dependency of the early stages of interreactio n. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.