Anisotropy of clustering during decomposition of AlZn single crystals

A consistent interpretation of the evolution of the morphologies and of the correlations between particles during phase separation of AlZn (Al--6.8Zn, Al--12Zn) has been given in terms of anisotropic elasticity. It is suggested that GP zones and alpha ' sub R may be two successive morphologies of the phase separation. Different morphologies, existence of full or semi coherency, even change in compositions which may be induced by elastic stresses, may be misleading criteria to differentiate metastable phases. 13 ref.--AA