The short-range order in liquid Al-Co-Sn alloys

Abstract

ABSTRACT The short-range order (SRO) in the liquid Al-Co-Sn alloys has been investigated in a wide concentration range using XRD and RMC simulation. The influence of the atomic size ratio and pair atomic interactions on the SRO of investigated liquid alloys have been discussed. Three concentration regions with different local atomic structures have been found for Al-Co-Sn melts. At low tin content, the SRO is similar to Al-Co melts and Sn atoms were statistically distributed in the volume. At high Sn content, the local atomic structure is close to liquid tin with Al and Co atoms even distribution. The atomic clusters with a structure similar to liquid tin are formed due to competition between Al and Sn atoms in the formation of partial SRO of Co atoms and the difference in atomic sizes that complicates the inclusion of Sn atoms in the first coordination shell of the Al or Co.