Measurements of the Zener Effect and Kinetics of Short‐Range Order in Two AuCu Alloys (Containing 14 and 25 at% Cu)

Measurements of the Zener relaxation effect and resistivity measurements of the establishment of short‐range order in two AuCu alloys (containing 14 and 25 at% Cu, respectively) are described. The relaxation times of both effects agree quite closely for the 14 at% Cu alloy. However, for the 25 at% Cu alloy the relaxation time determined from the resistivity measurements shows an anomalous increase as the critical temperature for long‐range order is approached from the high temperature side. This effect is discussed in terms of a current model for short‐range order above the critical temperature. The activation energies obtained from the Zener effect data are compared with the results of quenching experiments in these alloys.