Short-range order in liquid silver–tin alloys

Abstract The atomic structure of liquid Ag–Sn alloys within the whole concentration range was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction. It is shown that Ag–Sn alloys in the liquid state are micro-inhomogeneous and contain atomic clusters that differ by atomic composition and packing. The entire concentration range consists of the three concentration intervals bounded by the reference alloys: Ag–Ag 75 Sn 25 ; Ag 75 Sn 25 –Ag 35 Sn 65 ; Ag 35 Sn 65 –Sn. Within each interval melts are constituted of clusters of two kinds whose composition corresponds to that of the reference alloys. The analysis of the experimental data is indicative of high stability of the clusters. The variation of the alloy composition results in changing the volume fraction of each type of clusters, whereas the atomic concentration and arrangement inside the clusters remain constant. Only the size of the clusters changes with temperature of the melt.