Formation of Transition Phases on Interface between Monocrystalline Fe and Cu Due to Mutual Solid-State Diffusion

Interdiffusion between Fe (Armco) and Cu single crystals of similar orientation (around [110]) annealed at temperatures of 873 and 973K in air for 0.5 up to 4 h is studied. Formation of three phases different in their chemical composition has been observed: 1) oxide layer on Cu border (porous), 2) a layer rich in copper, iron and oxygen, 3) a layer of iron and oxygen with only small addition of Cu. All reactions of interface formation occurred in solid state. It was noted that oxygen plays an important role in development of new phases. Strong Kirkendall effect is observed due to large difference in diffusion coefficients of copper atoms to iron, D_Cu→Fe=300exp(-67800/RT) and iron atoms to copper D_Cu→Fe=0.091exp(-46140/RT).