Structure of molten copper-germanium alloys

Copper-germanium alloys in liquid state at 1373 K have been investigated. N on-linear behaviour of the structure-sensitive parameters and electrical re sistivity of the alloys versus concentration have been observed. Close rela tion between the crystal structure and the local ordering in molten Cu-Ge a lloys has been found. The inhomogeneous structure of the liquid Cu-Ge alloy s at a microscopic level was established. Melts are shown to contain cluste rs from pure components and clusters with composition corresponding to that of the intermetallic compound Cu.,Ge existing in the solid phase. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.