Formation of Icosahedral Al(Mn) by Pulsed Surface Melting

Abstract

ABSTRACTSurface melting of alternating Al/Mn layers on Al and Fe substrates by pulsed electron beams and laser is found by TEM to produce icosahedral Al(Mn). Interpreting the observed microstructures in terms of the calculated temperature histories places limits on the melting point of the phase (660 0C < T < 9600C), the time needed for its nucleation from the melt at 6600C (t < 50 ns), and the rate of quenching from thg liquid n needed to suppress formation of the competing T phase (-T > - 1 × 10 K/s).