Relaxation in Al-La Glass-Forming Melt

Aluminum-based glass-forming alloys are actively studied due to their low specific weight and high mechanical and corrosion properties. Viscosity (Shvidkovsky method), density (gamma absorption method), and electrical resistivity (contactless method in rotating magnetic field) of a Al91La9 glass-forming alloy are experimentally studied in a wide temperature range. Measurements have been carried out in a high-purity helium atmosphere. Samples are prepared by arc melting in a high-purity helium atmosphere. Chemical analysis of the composition is performed using an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer. The morphology of the formed compounds is analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. The elemental compositions of regions in different contrasts are determined using X-ray spectral microanalysis. The phase composition is studied using X-ray diffraction (CuK alpha). It is shown that the alloy is characterized by a hysteresis (discrepancy of heating and subsequent cooling polytherms) of the properties and long-term transitions to a more homogeneous state (long-term relaxation). These processes are observed in viscosity and density but are not detected upon measuring electric resistivity. Therefore, we assume that they do not influence the local order in the melt and occur at a meso- or macroscopic scale.