Formation and Stability of Extended Solid Solutions Made by Rapid Quenching from the Melt

Abstract

ABSTRACTExtension of solid solubility by rapid quenching from the melt (RQM) enormously increases scope for alloy development in metals such as aluminium for which solid solubility is particularly limited under equilibrium conditions. The present contribution reviews mainly recent work concerned with matching of experimental observations with predictions affecting:(1)conditions for solidification without change in composition(2)temperatures and modes of deconposition on subsequent heating(3)hardening effects as-quenched and on heat treatment.The significance of such findings for bulk production and consolidation of wrought products for engineering applications is briefly discussed.