Phase evolution in a Cu-18 at.% Li alloy as a function of temperature under different atmospheres

In contrast, if the sample is heated in air or in nitrogen, the lithium content in solid solution in the alloy at temperatures of about 873 K is very low (3 at.%). Consequently the alloy is in solid state at temperature as high as 1273 K. The heating of the alloy powders in nitrogen and in air, at atmospheric pressures, leads to the growth of lithium nitride, which was not expected.