Formation of the Short‐Range Order in Liquid Al−Ni−Sn Alloys

Abstract

Short-range order (SRO) in the liquid AlÀ NiÀ Sn alloys has been investigated using the X-ray diffraction method and Reverse Monte Carlo simulations. Obtained results point out a microinhomogeneous structure of AlÀ SnÀ Ni melts with Sn content between 10 and 65 at.% due to the presence of atomic clusters with the structure of liquid Sn and atomic clusters with NiÀ Sn coordination. The influence of the atomic size ratio (size factor) and pair atomic interactions (energy factor) on the short-range order of the investigated ternary melts are discussed. There is a competition between Al and Sn atoms in the formation of the SRO around Ni atoms due to the difference in bond energy in NiÀ Al and NiÀ Sn pairs. This competition, as well as a bigger radius of Sn atoms, results in the formation of atomic clusters with liquid Sn-like local atomic structure.