Neutron computed tomography of phase separation structures in solidified CuCo alloys and investigation of relationship between the structures and melt convection during solidification

Abstract The effect of melt convection on the phase separation structures in undercooled Cu Co alloys was investigated using the electromagnetic levitation technique, where the melt convection was controlled by applying a static magnetic field. The three-dimensional phase separation structures of the solidified Cu Co alloys were first observed using neutron computed tomography. A large number of small spherical Co-rich phases were dispersed in the Cu-rich phase matrix when the static magnetic field was relatively small. In contrast, several coalesced Co-rich phases, which were elongated along the direction of the static magnetic field, appeared in the higher strength of static magnetic field.