On the reproducibility of heterogeneous nucleation in amorphous Al85Ni10Ce5 alloys

Amorphous aluminium alloys can be successfully used as a matrix in which to study heterogeneous nucleation of α-Al on embedded conventional grain-refiner particles. The nucleation potency of a particle can be estimated from the extent of Al crystal growth on the particle during the glass-forming quench. The extent of growth is, of course, also dependent on the exact quenching conditions. However, the devitrification behaviour of the amorphous matrix can be used as an indicator of the quenching conditions, thereby permitting a comparative study of the nucleation potency.