In situ control of the distributions of alloying elements in alloys in liquid state using high magnetic field gradients

In this work, Mn–Sb alloys were melted and held in various magnetic field gradients for various times. The corresponding distributions of the alloying elements in the alloys in liquid state were revealed by a quenching method. It was found that the primary MnSb showed a relatively uniform distribution in the alloy quenched in the magnetic field gradient of B dB/dz=0 T2/m, while it was mainly distributed in the lower and upper part of the alloys quenched in negative and positive magnetic field gradients, respectively. The experimental results show that it is possible to in situ control the distributions of alloying elements in alloys in the liquid state using high gradient magnetic fields if there is a difference in magnetic susceptibility.

► Possibility of in situ controlling the solute distributions in alloys.
► Mn–Sb alloys were melted and held in various magnetic field gradients.
► Solute distributions in the liquid state were revealed by a quenching method.
► Distribution of primary MnSb was successfully controlled by magnetic field gradients.