Crystallization and relaxation phenomena in the bismuth-lead eutectic

The thermal properties of the solid and liquid bismuth-lead eutectic (44.6 wt.% Pb) have been investigated by a γ-ray attenuation technique over the temperature range from 293 to 750 K. New data on the temperature dependences of the solid and the melt densities have been obtained. The density change during the solid-liquid transition has been directly measured for the first time. The effect of the solid density relaxation has been detected and studied. A model has been proposed, which explains the observed phenomenon.