Abstract
The eutectic Ga-In (EGaIn) alloy has low vapour pressure, low toxicity, high thermal and electrical conductivities, and thus has shown a great potential for smart material applications. For such applications, EGaIn is maintained above its melting point, below which it undergoes solidification and phase separation. A scientific understanding of the structural and compositional evolution during thermal cycling could help further assess the application range of low-melting-point fusible alloys. Here, we use an integrated suite of cryogenically-enabled advanced microscopy & microanalysis to better understand phase separation and (re)mixing processes in EGaIn. We reveal an overlooked thermal-stimulus-response behaviour for frozen mesoscale EGaIn at cryogenic temperatures, with a sudden apparent volume expansion observed during in-situ heat-cycling, associated with the immiscibility between Ga and In during cooling and the formation of metastable Ga phases. These results emphasize the importance of the kinetics of rejuvenation, and open new paths for EGaIn as a self-healing material.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
