Rapid solidification from molten state allows manufacturing thin products in one single step. It is also often used to prepared out of equilibrium phases, such as metallic glasses, quasicrystals, metastable phases, ultra fine grained materials or extended solid solutions.
This experimental set up is one of the key equipment of our facilities, since such techniques are unique in France and even in Europe. The equipment is widely used by the researchers of our Institute as a basis for their studies on either structural materials and functional materials.
Plannar flow melt spinning
With the Planar Flow Melt Spinning, solidification rates up to 1 000 000 K/s can be achieved. We can as well set up Chill Block melt spinning or Pendant Drop Melting, as we have a background of more than 40 years on these techniques. This apparatus is used to produce thin ribbons or flakes, with a thickness lower than 80 µm.
Twin roll casting
Thin sheets with thickness from 150 to 500 µm are produced by Twin Roll Casting. The estimated cooling rate is comprised between 1000 to 100 000 K/s.
In rotating water melt spinning process “INROWASP”
Cylindrical wires are processed by In rotating water melt spinning. The diameter varies from 100 to 200 µm, and the cooling rate is around 100 000 K/s