Influence of high magnetic field on the liquid-liquid phase separation behavior of an undercooled Cu–Co immiscible alloy

Abstract

Abstract In this work, the influence of 10 T high magnetic field on the liquid-liquid phase separation behavior of Cu-33.33 at.%Co immiscible alloy was systematically investigated. The results show that the separation behavior was significantly altered via the application of a high magnetic field. Both the Co-rich phase and the non-ferromagnetic Cu-rich phase are found to be elongated along the magnetic field direction due to the action of static magnetic energy and the coordinating of deformation. The relatively homogeneous microstructure of uniform dispersion of Co-rich phase on the matrix is obtained in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field. The drag force induced by the thermoelectric magnetic convection under a high magnetic field hinders the solute transport of Co-rich phase, leading to a decline in the number of Cu-rich phase produced by the secondary decomposition. Moreover, the applied high magnetic field results in the variations of the undercooling during rapid solidification. The finally solidified Cu–Co alloy in a magnetic field of 10 T with higher undercooling exhibited a slightly lower saturation magnetization and higher coercivity and residual magnetizations. The present research provides new insights into the influence of high magnetic field on the liquid-liquid phase separation behavior of immiscible alloys.