Elements of Rapid Solidification

1 Introduction and Background.- 1.1 Background.- 1.2 Liquid-to-Crystal Transition: Undercooling and Nucleation.- 1.3 Metallic Glasses.- 1.4 Metastable Crystalline Phases.- References.- 2 Synthesis and Processing.- 2.1 Heat Transfer and Solidification Kinetics.- 2.2 Droplet Methods.- 2.3 Spinning Methods.- 2.4 Surface Melting Technologies.- 2.5 Consolidation Technologies.- References.- 3 Structure and Characterization of Rapidly Solidified Alloys.- 3.1 Characterization Techniques.- 3.2 Total Scattering Intensity from Amorphous and Nanocrystalline Alloys.- 3.3 Diffraction Theory of Powder Pattern Peaks from Nanocrystalline Materials.- 3.4 Experimental Diffraction Techniques.- 3.5 Structure of Amorphous and Nanocrystalline Alloys.- 3.6 Selected Examples of Electron-Microscopy Analysis.- References.- 4 Atomic Transport and Relaxation in Rapidly Solidified Alloys.- 4.1 Basic Equations of Diffusion.- 4.2 Self-Diffusion in Amorphous Alloys.- 4.3 Theory of Diffusion in Disordered Media.- 4.4 Diffusion of Hydrogen Isotopes and Light Particles in Amorphous Alloys.- 4.5 Magnetic After-Effects and Induced Anisotropies Due to Double-Well Systems in Amorphous Alloys.- 4.6 Viscosity and Internal Friction of Amorphous Alloys.- Appendix: Microsectioning by Ion-Beam Sputtering - A Powerful Method to Determine Diffusion Profiles.- References.- 5 Mechanical Properties and Behaviour.- 5.1 Elastic and Anelastic Behaviour.- 5.2 Plastic Flow and Fracture Behaviour.- 5.3 Strength and Hardness.- 5.4 Fatigue and Wear Behaviour.- 5.5 Creep and Hot Deformation Behaviour.- References.- 6 Magnetic and Electronic Properties of Rapidly Quenched Materials.- 6.1 Rapidly Quenched Alloys.- 6.2 Fundamental Magnetic Properties.- 6.3 Domains and Technical Properties of Amorphous Alloys.- 6.4 Magnetism andShort-Range Order.- 6.5 Electronic Structure of Amorphous Alloys.- 6.6 Applications.- 6.7 Conclusion, Outlook.- References.- 7 Chemical Properties of Amorphous Alloys.- 7.1 Corrosion-Resistant Alloys in Aqueous Solutions.- 7.2 Corrosion-Resistant Alloys at High Temperatures.- 7.3 Electrodes for Electrolysis of Aqueous Solutions.- 7.4 Catalysts for Prevention of the Greenhouse Effect and Saving the Ozone Layer.- 7.5 Concluding Remarks.- References.- 8 Selected Examples of Applications.- 8.1 Improvement of Mechanical Properties.- 8.2. Magnetic Applications.- 8.3 Joining Applications.- 8.4 Current Limitations and Future Directions.- Further Reading.- 9 Glossary of Important Terms.