Liquid phase separation of Cu-Cr alloys during rapid cooling

The ribbons of Cu-Cr alloys with high Cr content (15%-35%, mass fraction) were prepared by rapid solidification. The microstructures of solidified samples, were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results reveal that a representative liquid phase separation microstructures are observed in Cu75Cr25 ribbons solidified at a cooling rate of about 104K/s. The liquid phase separation is not restrained when the cooling rate is enhanced to about 107K/s. However, the size of Cr particles solidified from Cr-rich liquid or Cr-rich regions in alloy melts could be refined by increasing the cooling rates. The size of Cr particles increases with increasing Cr contents when the ribbons contain 15% to 35%Cr.