In situ X-ray diffraction and the internal friction study of the binary yellow 18-carat gold alloy

Phase transitions in AuCu alloy are investigated using in situ temperature XRD and mechanical spectroscopy. The measurements are carried out from room temperature up to 973 K starting from the ordered phase AuCuI. Using a temperature ramp rate of 1 K/min, the following phase transition sequence was recorded on heating: AuCuI - > AuCuI + AuCuII- > AuCuI + AuCuII + A1 - > AuCuII + A1 - > A1. The mechanical (elastic and anelastic) properties are determined by this phase transition sequence. The mechanical spectroscopy, using a forced torsion pendulum, shows a peak due to antiphase boundary movement in the orthorhombic phase AuCuII according to the temperature dependent internal friction tests. The isothermal frequency measurements show several thermally activated peaks in the phase transitions intervals.