Recent Studies of Eutectics for Nonstructural Applications

Abstract

In a review of work on unidirectionally solidified eutectics for optical, electronic and magnetic applications published in this journal in 19671, it was reported that many new materials were being prepared with interesting anisotropic properties. These materials contained parallel arrays of fibers of one phase in a matrix of the other, or parallel alternating lamellae of the two phases. At that time the major effort on controlled eutectics was concentrated on the formation of high strength materials, with a few isolated studies being directed toward preparing controlled eutectics for nonstructural applications. Since then, interest has grown in the nonstructural properties of controlled eutectics and a proportionately greater number of studies are now being devoted to that field of research. The purpose of this paper is to bring to the attention of the readers the results of some of these recent studies being conducted to develop new and improved materials for optical, magnetic and electronic applications by the unidirectional solidification of eutectic systems.