Influence of high magnetic field on as-cast structure of Cu-25wt.% Ag alloys

To investigate the influence of high magnetic field （HMF） on the solidification microstructure of Cu-25wt.%Ag alloy, the Cu-25wt.%Ag alloy was prepared under HMF of 12 T, and for comparison, the alloy solidified without HMF was also fabricated. Macro and microstructures of the alloys were observed using the stereomicroscope, and scanning electron microscope, field emission scanning electron microscopy. The weight percentages of the pro-eutectic and eutectic, Cu phase and Ag phase in eutectic, and precipitates of Ag phase in pro-eutectic were analyzed by using of IPP software. Results show that the morphology of the column dendrites changes into cellular dendrites and the grains are refined under HMF of 12 T. Meanwhile, the thickness of the eutectic wall increases, but the sizes of Cu phase and Ag phase and the eutectic lamellar spacings are decreased. The Ag precipitates in the Cu matrix become coarser and sparser. The weight percentage variation of the phases in the microstructure and the Cu-Ag binary phase diagram reveals that the eutectic point moves to the left of the eutectic point in the equilibrium condition and the supersaturated solid solubility of Ag decreases under HMF.