The equilibrium shapes of small liquid droplets in solid–liquid phase mixtures: metallic h.c.p. and metalloid systems

Abstract

Solid–liquid interfacial free energy is shown to be highly anisotropic in alloys of some h. c. p. metals and of two metalloids. This anisotropy is evaluated from a study of the equilibrium shapes of small droplets of alloy liquid entrained within solid grains. Factors affecting the attainment of equilibrium in such droplets are considered, and γ -plots are obtained for solid–liquid interfaces in the h. c. p. metals zinc and cadmium. In the magnesium alloys studied, spherical droplet shapes were observed, indicative of essentially isotropic interfacial energies. Droplet shapes were also analysed in some alloys of bismuth and of antimony. The results are related to current ideas of solid–liquid interfacial structure.