The Production of Vacancies by Oxidation in Zinc and Magnesium

Abstract

The growth of vacancy-type dislocation loops in zinc and magnesium during annealing has been studied as a function of small alloying additions and of the air pressure of the annealing environment. It is concluded that the excess vacancies necessary for loop growth are produced as metal atoms enter a thin oxide film on the surface and participate in the oxidation process. The results are discussed in terms of the current theories of oxidation.