Temperature dependence of the chemical short-range order in undercooled and stable Al-Fe-Co liquids

Abstract

The temperature dependence of the chemical short-range order is investigated by neutron scattering in stable and undercooled metallic liquid alloys. The experiments were performed on Al-Fe-Co liquids forming polytetrahedral phases and are in favour of an icosahedral topological short-range order prevailing in the liquids. The icosahedral short-range order is accompanied by a strong chemical order such that the first coordination shell of a transition metal atom consists preferentially of Al atoms. A decrease of temperature leads to an enhancement of the chemical short-range order.