Determination of the crystal structure of the pi-AlFeMgSi phase using symmetry- and site-sensitive electron microscope techniques.

The crystal structure of the complex pi-AlFeMgSi phase, which was previously thought to have the composition Al(8)FeMg(3)Si(6), has been investigated. Microprobe analysis revealed that the phase has a different composition, Al(9)FeMg(3)Si(5). The space group was determined and confirmed to be P62m with the use of parallel-beam electron diffraction (SAD) and convergent-beam electron diffraction (CBED).

Structure of dental gallium alloys.

The interest in gallium alloys as a replacement for amalgam has increased in recent years due to the risk of environmental pollution from amalgam. Alloy powders with compositions close to those for alloys of amalgam are mixed with a liquid gallium alloy. The mix is condensed into a prepared cavity in much the same way as for amalgam.