The microstructure of liquid immiscible Fe–Cu-based in situ formed amorphous/crystalline composite

In the microstructures of slowly and rapidly cooled liquid of the immiscible alloy Fe30Cu32Ni10Si13Sn4B9Y2 two distinct regions were observed following arc melting and slow cooling, confirming that liquid/liquid phase separation had occurred. Rapid cooling from a temperature within the liquid immiscibility gap, melt spinning, resulted in an amorphous/crystalline composite, formed from the previously melted Fe- and Cu-rich regions, respectively. Transmission electron microscopic studies of this melt-spun ribbon revealed the glassy nature of the Fe-rich matrix, as well as of the Fe-rich spheres formed within the previously existing Cu-rich liquid.