Hydrogen induced nonmonotonic relaxation in binary mixtures similar to Pd-Er alloys as a transition process in nonequilibrium heterogeneous systems with spinodal decomposition

Abstract

We have proposed a qualitative model for the structure of binary systems similar to Pd-Er alloys, which explains their nonmonotonic relaxation after the hydrogen saturation. It is based on the assumption that such a solid solution involves two kind heterogeneities. The former are caused by spinodal decomposition of the initially homogeneous state of the solid solution into the phases enriched and depleted of Er atoms. The latter are crystalline defects that trap an additional amount of Er atoms, which leads also to their local accumulation, changing the defect properties. Hydrogen atoms penetrating into the solid disturb the equilibrium of both the phase separation and the defect saturation with Er atoms, causing redistribution of Er atoms. The diffusion fluxes give rise to the motion of the interface between the two phases that is responsible for time variations, for example, in the relative volume of the enriched phase observed experimentally. We have found the conditions when the interface motion can change the direction during the system relaxation to a new equilibrium state. The latter effect is, from our point of view, the essence of the hydrogen induced nonmonotonic relaxation observed in such systems. The numerical simulation confirms the basic assumptions.