A novel method for in situ formation of bulk layered composites with compositional gradients by magnetic field gradient

Bulk layered synthetic Mn–Sb composites, with a gradient structure in morphology and composition towards the surfaces, were fabricated directly in situ under high magnetic field gradient conditions. Both of the primary phases of Mn–Sb binary system, i.e. MnSb and Sb, were found to segregate simultaneously from desired domains with a gradient interface in morphology in those alloys with hypo-eutectic composition. The volume fraction of the segregated phases strongly depended on the product of the magnetic flux density and its gradient.