Crystal orientation of non-magnetic materials by imposition of a high magnetic field

From the view point of learning from the nature, the controlling of crystal orientation is accounted to be a major subject for materials processing. This paper reviews the researches on the crystal orientation by use of a high magnetic field and belongs to the category of researches for mimicking structures, namely the crystal orientation, which nature or living bodies are forming. Regarding to the crystal orientation, several methods such as unidirectional solidification and epitaxial growth and so on have been developed hitherto. On the other hand the magnetization force that is familiar with the force to attract iron to a magnet, has been recognized to be effective even in nonmagnetic materials when those are placed under a high magnetic field, which has become rather conveniently available by developing superconducting technologies in these days. In this paper, main results obtained when the imposition of a high magnetic field was accompanied to several materials processing such as electrodeposition, vaperdeposition, solidification, baking, slip-casting and precipitation, are reviewed from the view point of crystal orientation of non-magnetic materials. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.