Linear arrangement of nano-scale magnetic particles formed in Cu–Fe–Ni alloys

The structural evolution of nano-scale magnetic particles formed in Cu–Fe–Ni alloys on isothermal annealing at 878 K has been investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Phase decomposition of Cu–Fe–Ni occurred after an as-quenched specimen received a short anneal, and nano-scale magnetic particles were formed randomly in the Cu-rich matrix. A striking feature that two or more nano-scale particles with a cubic shape were aligned linearly along 〈1,0,0〉 directions was observed, and the trend was more pronounced at later stages of the precipitation. Large numbers of 〈1,0,0〉 linear chains of precipitates extended in three dimensions in late stages of annealing.