Thermodynamics of La based La-Al-Cu-Ni-Co alloys studied by temperature modulated DSC

The onset and offset melting temperatures T-m and T-l, glass transition temperature T-g and heat of fusion Delta H-m of six La based La-Al-Cu-Ni-(Co) alloys were measured by DTA or DSC at a heating rate of 20 K/s. The absolute values of specific heat capacity for the undercooled liquid and the corresponding crystalline of these six alloys were obtained by means of temperature-modulated DSC (TMDSC). Entropy, enthalpy and Gibbs free energy differences between the undercooled liquid and crystalline of these alloys as a function of temperature have been calculated. Their glass forming ability was discussed from a thermodynamic point of view. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.