Structure of molten copper–germanium alloys

Copper–germanium alloys in liquid state at 1373 K have been investigated. Non-linear behaviour of the structure-sensitive parameters and electrical resistivity of the alloys versus concentration have been observed. Close relation between the crystal structure and the local ordering in molten Cu–Ge alloys has been found. The inhomogeneous structure of the liquid Cu–Ge alloys at a microscopic level was established. Melts are shown to contain clusters from pure components and clusters with composition corresponding to that of the intermetallic compound Cu3Ge existing in the solid phase.