On controlled solidification studies of some TiO2 binary alloys

Abstract

TiO2 single crystal fibers in the 1 mm diameter range were pulled from different alloy melts using the laser heated pedestal melting technique. The alloying elements studied were CaO, MnO, MgO, SiO2, FeO, and Al2O3. Phase diagram solute partition coefficient, k0, maximum solid solubility limit, CS(max), eutectic concentration, CE, and eutectic temperature, TE, were determined for each of these alloys. Solute redistribution effects in the solid, controlled precipitation in the solid, smooth solid-liquid interfaces in the presence of high melt concentrations and substantial crystal broadening by fluid migration up the solid from the melt all indicated the existence of a very strong thermodynamic field and a large solid diffusion coefficient operating in the solid behind the solid/liquid interface.