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Title: A novel microstructure in the Al-La-Ni ternary eutectic alloy

Journal Article · · Scripta Materialia

The morphology of growth of phases involved in eutectic solidification continues to attract interest because of its impact on properties and performance of materials containing eutectic constituents. Al-11.3La-5.4Ni (wt%) forms a ternary eutectic at growth velocities V in the range 0.01 to 2mm/s comprising fragmented pseudo-lamellar elements each made of odd numbers of alternate Al{sub 11}La{sub 3} and Al{sub 3}Ni fibers usually with Al{sub 11}La{sub 3} as the end member of each element. Formation of {alpha}Al dendrites within this eutectic matrix at V exceeding 2mm/s suggests an asymmetrical zone of coupled eutectic growth similar to Al-Al{sub 11}Ln{sub 3} (Ln = La, Ce or Nd). The eutectic interphase spacing {lambda} is given by {lambda}{radical}V = 8.1 {+-} 1.4 {micro}m{sup 3/2}s{sup {minus}1/2} which is {approximately} 30% smaller than found for the constituent Al-based binary eutectics. Hardness at the same value of {lambda} is larger by some 50% than for either of the constituent binary eutectics.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Sheffield (GB)
Sponsoring Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
OSTI ID:
20023120
Journal Information:
Scripta Materialia, Vol. 39, Issue 10; Other Information: PBD: 13 Oct 1998; ISSN 1359-6462
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English