Ostwald ripening in Al–Li alloys: A test of theory

Abstract Experimental characterization of microstructure evolution in three binary Al–Li alloys provides a quantitative test of diffusion screening theory. Particle size distributions, growth kinetics, and maximum particle sizes are obtained through quantitative, centered dark-field transmission electron microscopy. The dependences on δ′ precipitate volume fraction of the coarsening rate constant and maximum particle size are revealed, both of which have eluded determination for a half century. These experiments show that the diffusion screening theory for late-stage phase coarsening yields accurate predictions of maximum size of particle and relative coarsening constant.