METASTABLE LIQUID-PHASE SEPARATION IN UNDERCOOLED MOLTEN PD40.5NI40.5P19

It was demonstrated that molten Pd40.5Ni40.5P19 undergoes liquid state phase separation in the undercooling regime Delta T = T-1 - T where T -1 is the liquidus of Pd40.5Ni40.5P19 and T is the kinetic crystalliza tion temperature. Liquid state phase separation by nucleation and grow th takes place for Delta T less than or equal to 60 K while that by sp inodal decomposition occurs for Delta T greater than or equal to 100 K . Microstructural analysis of the undercooled specimen obtained in the undercooling regime of 60 less than or equal to Delta T less than or equal to 100 K indicates that it is the transition regime. Finally, it was found that when undercooled molten Pd40.5Ni40.5P19 undergoes liqu id state spinodal decomposition, it first decomposes into two liquid n etworks, which is finally replaced by a system of three liquid network s.