Influence of Minor Cr Additions on Crystal Growth in Rapidly Solidified Al-20Zn Alloys.

It has been discovered quite recently that Icosahedral Short-Range Order (ISRO) of atoms in the liquid phase of metallic alloys surrounding some trace elements added to the melt can influence both the nucleation and growth of the primary phase. In this work, Al-20wt.%Zn alloys without and with 0.

Development of a laser-based heating system for in situ synchrotron-based X-ray tomographic microscopy.

Understanding the formation of materials at elevated temperatures is critical for determining their final properties. Synchrotron-based X-ray tomographic microscopy is an ideal technique for studying such processes because high spatial and temporal resolutions are easily achieved and the technique is non-destructive, meaning additional analyses can take place after data collection. To exploit the state-of-the-art capabilities at the tomographic microscopy and coherent radiology experiments (TOMCAT) beamline of the Swiss Light Source, a general-use moderate-to-high-temperature furnace has been developed.

Orientation selection in dendritic evolution.

Dendritic crystal growth patterns have fascinated scientists for several centuries. Much of the aesthetic appeal of these patterns stems from the hierarchical structure of primary-, secondary-, and higher-order branches, which typically grow along principal crystallographic axes. Atypical growth directions have also been observed.