PREPARATION OF LARGE SINGLE GRAINS OF THE QUASI-CRYSTALLINE ICOSAHEDRAL AL-CU-FE PSI-PHASE

A cyclic heat-treatment process was used to prepare single grains of t he quasicrystalline icosahedral phase, psi-Al65Cu23Fe12 Alloys of appr opriate composition are melted and chill cast into copper molds. Multi ple cyclic heat treatments at successively higher temperatures below 8 60 degrees C, the peritectic decomposition temperature of the quasicry stal phase, are used to enhance the growth of the psi phase. Single gr ains up to 10 mm x 5 mm x 5 mm have been prepared.