Microstructure refinement and hardening of Ag-20wt.%Cu alloy by rapid solidification

Ag-20 wt.%Cu (wt%) hypoeutectic alloy has been rapidly solidified by means of planar flow casting technique. Two fcc solid solutions have been identified by X-ray diffraction. Microstructures have been observed by electron microscopy. A refinement of the eutectic microstructure, as well as of the Ag-rich primary phase, has been observed for high quenching rates, leading to a hardness value up to 235 Vickers. The lattice parameter and phase fraction of the Ag-rich solid solution increase as a function of quenching rates (i.e. wheel speed). The solidification processes occurring during rapid quenching have been described on the basis of thermodynamic and kinetic arguments.