Formation of quasicrystal in Zr ₇₀ Ni ₁₀ Mn ₂₀ alloy during rapid solidification

The direct formation of a quasicrystal in Zr ₇₀ Ni ₁₀ Mn ₂₀ ternary alloy during rapid solidification was observed by X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Observations of five-, three- and two-fold symmetry nanobeam electron diffraction patterns indicated that the quasicrystal has an icosahedral phase. A comparison of the Zr ₇₀ Ni ₁₀ Mn ₂₀ and Zr ₇₀ Ni ₁₀ Al ₂₀ alloys shows that substitution of Al by Mn in Zr ₇₀ Ni ₁₀ Al ₂₀ reduces the glass-forming ability and promotes the formation of quasicrystals.