Phase-selection and metastable phase formation in highly undercooled eutectic Ni_78.6Si_21.4 alloys

A large undercooling (250 K) was achieved in eutectic Ni_78.6Si_21.4 melt by the combination of molten-glass denucleation and cyclic superheating. The metastable phase formation process in the bulk undercooled eutectic Ni_78.6Si_21.4 melts was investigated. With the increase of undercooling, different metastable phases form in eutectic Ni_78.6Si_21.4 melts and part of these metastable phases can be kept at room temperature through slow post-solidification. Under large undercooling, the metastable phases β₂-Ni₃Si, Ni₃₁Si₁₂ and Ni₃Si₂ were identified. Especially, the Ni₃Si₂ phase was obtained in eutectic Ni_78.6Si_21.4 alloy for the first time. Based on the principle of free energy minimum and transient nucleation theory, the solidification behavior of melts was analyzed with regard to the metastable phase formation when the melts were in highly undercooled state.