Effects of Ni addition on liquid phase separation of Cu-Co alloys

This article deals with the effects of Ni addition on liquid phase separati on of Cu-Co alloys. The results reveal that Ni addition can partly restrain the liquid phase separation of Cu-Co alloys, resulting in a decrease of th e volume fraction for the Co-rich particles from the liquid phase separatio n and in refined microstructures. The composition analysis indicates that N i is dissolved in both the Co-rich and the Cu-rich phases, but the Ni conte nt in the Co-rich phase is much higher than that in the Cu matrix. The decr easing amount of Co-rich particles from the liquid phase separation and the refined microstructure are responsible for the GMR improvement of Cu-Co al loys with Ni addition. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.