MONOTECTIC COMPOSITE GROWTH

The theoretical factors in monotectic composite growth are reexamined. Perfect wetting of the solid by the monotectic liquid occurs whenever the monotectic temperature is close to the critical temperature. According to Chadwick, composite growth is impossible whenever such perfect wetting occurs. However, since the disjoining pressure is expected to be small, composite growth may instead be determined by the critical velocity necessary to overcome the disjoining pressure. Experience that high velocities are needed to form monotectic composites tends to support this alternate proposal. Applied pressure and ternary additions are suggested as additional ways for altering the factors that mediate composite growth. © 1979 American Society for Metals and the Metallurgical Society of AIME.