Effect of Sb Addition on the Solidification of Deeply Undercooled Ag-28.1 wt. % Cu Eutectic Alloy

Abstract

Ag-28.1 wt. % Cu eutectic alloy solidifies in the form of eutectic dendrite at undercooling above 76 K. The remelting and ripening of the original lamellar eutectics result in the formation of the anomalous eutectics in the final microstructure. The addition of the third element Sb (0.5 and 1 wt. %) does not change the growth mode, but enlarges the volume fraction of anomalous eutectics because of the increasing recalescence rate. The additional constitutional supercooling owing to the Sb enrichment ahead of the eutectic interface promotes the branching of the interface and as a result fine lamellar eutectic arms form around the anomalous eutectics in the Sb-added Ag-28.1 wt. % Cu eutectic alloy.