Preparation and analysis of Pr–Ga–Al alloys

Pr–Ga–Al alloys were prepared from individual praseodymium, gallium and aluminum purified from oxide films in an inert atmosphere of the glove box. The Ga–Al phase diagram was used to choose the eutectic composition (2.1 mol. % Al). The metals were mixed in a certain proportion in crucibles (BeO) and annealed at 832.4±1.7 °C and 366.2±6.3 °C for 19 hours and 53 hours, respectively. Three ingots were obtained with different praseodymium content. The alloys were investigated by X-ray phase analysis, scanning electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction technique. A general chemical analysis was also performed. Depending on praseodymium content the alloys consisted of PrGa6 intermetallic compound phase; a mixture of PrGa6 and ε-PrGa2 IMCs; and ε-PrGa2 phase. Ternary intermetallic compounds of praseodymium were not detected. A small addition of aluminum does not affect the phase characteristics of intermetallic compounds of praseodymium in alloys.