To understand growth mechanism of a decagonal Al-72 Co-16 Ni-12 single quasicrystal, solid-liquid interface during crystal growth was investigated. When a single quasicrystal was grown at a growth rate of 0.5 mm/h, the solid-liquid interface is flat. At steady growth state it was found that Al is enriched, while Co and Ni are depleted in front of the interface. Solute partition ratios of Al, Co and Ni were determined to be about 0.91, 1.57 and 1.08, respectively. The change of the solute partition ratio and redistribution process during the crystal growth has been discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.