In situ electron microscopy of melting and solidification of in particles embedded in an Fe matrix

Abstract The melting and freezing temperatures of small In particles embedded in an Fe matrix have been measured as a function of particie size using in situ heating in an electron microscope. The melting temperature of small particles of In is lower than that of bulk material and decreases with decreasing radius of the particles (r). The freezing temperature also decreases with decreasing r. This behaviour of the melting of In particles embedded in an Fe matrix contrasts sharply with that of In particles embedded in an Al matrix, for which the melting temperature increases with decreasing r. The difference is discussed in terms of the interfacial energies between Al or Fe matrix and liquid or solid In.