Micro-inhomogeneous structure of liquid Al−Fe alloys

Using X-ray diffraction, the structure factors of molten Al−Fe alloys were determined as a function of composition at a constant 1 550°C. The nearest neighbour distance and coordination number are given. Both structure factors and total density functions could be well reproduced by a micro-inhomogeneous model. The entire concentration region can be divided into four intervals with Al, Al7Fe, Al5Fe2, Fe3Al and Fe acting as borders. Alloys situated at the borders of the concentration intervals contain clusters of one type whose composition represents that of the alloy in question. The alloys between the borders contain clusters of the two border types.