A stochastic theory for clustering quenched-in vacancies-V. Temperature dependence of cluster density

Abstract

It is known that the density of vacancy loops in quenched aluminium and stacking fault tetrahedra in quenched gold show a saturation for low ageing temperatures. The physical mechanism leading to this effect is not well understood. In this paper we consider a simple model which allows us to obtain the temperature dependence of total density. The analysis shows that the plateau region arises due to the fact that the number of absorption sites of a cluster is larger than the number of emission sites. The temperature dependence of the average number of vacancies in a cluster and the single vacancy concentration in equilibrium with the clusters are discussed.