Structural phase transition induced in Fe50Rh50 alloys by high pressure

The equiatomic composition of the FeRh alloy was studied by in situ high pressure energy dispersive X-ray experiments. Pressures as high as 19 GPa were generated using a diamond anvil cell. An incomplete bcc → fcc phase transition was evidenced, both bcc and fcc phases coexisting above 10.0 GPa. The transition is accompanied by a decrease of the lattice parameter of the remaining bcc phase by approx. 1.5%. A substantial low lattice parameter was observed for the newly formed fcc phase, reflecting a rather compressed structure.