Melting and Solidification Behaviour of Bi-Pb Multiphase Alloy Nanoparticles Embedded in Aluminum Matrix

The present investigation reports the result of the investigation on the phase transformation of biphasic Bi-Pb alloy nanoparticles embedded in the aluminum matrix. The samples are prepared by rapid solidification route involving melt spinning of Al-6 wt% (Bi55.9Pb44.1) alloy on a rotating copper wheel in an argon-filled evacuated chamber. The detailed transmission electron microscope (TEM) investigation shows presence of near cuboctahedral shaped biphasic nano-inclusions consisting of the (Bi) solid solution and β, the intermediate phase. β constitutes bulk of the nanoparticle with (Bi) forming the cap. Both the phases bear distinct orientation relationship with the matrix. The compositional analysis indicates substantial increase in solid solubilities of Pb in the (Bi) and Bi in the β-phases as compared to the as-cast sample. Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) studies indicate substantial superheating (16.4 K) of the embedded nanoparticles with appearance of sharp melting peak. The solidification is observed to be diffused, taking place over a large temperature range (344.5 K to 332 K). The in situ heating stage experiments carried out in TEM indicate formation of core shell morphology during heating with β forming the shell around (Bi). The melting starts from Al/β/(Bi) triple point and then the liquid spreads along matrix-particle interface. The solidification occurs in eutectic manner.