Fabrication of MnSb/Sb functionally graded materials by high gradient magnetic fields

Abstract

Mn-898wt%Sb alloys were solidified in the absence or presence of high magnetic fields of 88 T with various gradients to investigate the effects of high magnetic fields on the structures of the alloys. It was found that both of the two primary phases, i.e. MnSb and Sb appeared simultaneously in MnSb/Sb eutectic matrix and the MnSb and Sb phase-rich layers were aggregated in different domains under high gradient magnetic field conditions. It was also found that the volume fraction of these two primary phases increased with the increase of the field gradient. This process was attributed to that the alloying element clusters with different susceptibility in molten state were driven along or opposite to the direction of magnetic forces when subjected to high gradient magnetic fields and thus resulted in a layered microstructure with compositional gradient. The results of present study suggest that adjastment of high gradient magnetic field may potentially be used to tailor functionally graded materials.