Formation of chainlike structures in an Mn-89.7 wt%Sb alloy during isothermal annealing process in the semisolid state in a high magnetic field

This study is concerned with the investigation of the structural evolution occurring during isothermal annealing of an Mn-89.7 wt%Sb alloy in a high magnetic field in the semisolid state. The alloy specimens were isothermally annealed without and with an 11.5-T magnetic field for various annealing times. With the application of the magnetic field, the average characteristic radius of the primary MnSb particles increased with increasing annealing time. The primary MnSb particles were oriented with their c-plane parallel to the imposed field direction. Furthermore, the primary MnSb particles were found to align along the field direction and form chainlike structures eventually. These phenomena were attributed to the attraction and coalescence of the particles induced by the dipole–dipole interactions among them.