Phase formation of rapidly quenched Cu–Si alloys

The influence of rapid quenching on the phase formation of Cu–Si alloys was investigated for silicon contents between 10 and 30 at.%. Rapid quenching leads to formation of different meta-stable states depending on the chemical composition. High temperature phases η, δ and κ can be preserved at room temperature. The formation of the room temperature phase ɛ can be suppressed by rapid quenching from the melt. The crystal structure of the high temperature phases was analysed by X-ray powder diffraction. Annealing of the rapidly quenched alloys at T = 500 °C leads to the transformations of the meta-stable phases. The equilibrium states exhibit phase compositions, which are in agreement with the generally accepted phase diagram.