Solidification Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of Ag-rich Ag-Cu-La-Fe Immiscible Alloys

Abstract

The microstructure and magnetic properties of rapidly solidified in Ag₅₂Cu_23.2La_4.8Fe₂₀ (at.%) alloy, which was designed as the combination of Ag-rich Ag₆₅Cu₂₉La₆ alloy with high glass forming ability (GFA) and Fe, was investigated. An amorphous phase formation was observed in melt-spun ribbon of ternary Ag₆₅Cu₂₉La₆ alloy. The composite of Ag-Cu-based polycrystalline matrix and BCC-Fe globules was obtained in Ag₅₂Cu_23.2La_4.8Fe₂₀ alloy. The size of BCC-Fe globules embedded in Ag-Cu based polycrystalline matrix was the order of 50 nano-meter. The Fe addition deteriorated the GFA in Ag-rich Ag-Cu-La alloys. The combination of liquid phase separation and stabilization of thermal melt for an amorphous phase formation during rapid cooling leads to the formation of the particular solidification microstructure in Ag-rich Ag-Cu-La-Fe alloy. The melt-spun ribbon shows the typical ferromagnetic magnetic properties due to the 50 nano-meter ordered BCC-Fe globules.