Generation of a Uniformly Coarse Two-Phase Microstructure in a Hypereutectic Ag-Si Alloy

Abstract Wetting experiments require a uniform coarse two-phase microstructure with microstructural constituents in an order of magnitude of ∼200 μm. Such a microstructure was generated using a hypereutectic Ag-Si alloy (Ag-10wt.%Si). It was adjusted by relatively slow cooling to a temperature close to the eutectic temperature, by coarsening the primary Si phase in the two-phase liquid/solid mixture, and, eventually, by very slow cooling below the eutectic temperature. Nucleation of eutectic Si is inhibited by the low cooling rate and by rotating the sample. The rotation also prevents the occurrence of gravity segregations (floating of primary-Si).