Atomic Structure of the Amorphous Metallic Alloy Al83.5Ni9.5Si1.4La5.6

Abstract

The atomic structure of the amorphous metallic alloy Al_83.5Ni_9.5Si_1.4La_5.6 is investigated based on the analysis of the experimental atomic radial distribution function (ARDF) in the fragmentary model. A comparative analysis of the most probable interatomic distances in the alloy and possible compounds based on it has demonstrated the presence of crystalline nuclei of the following phases: Al₃La, Al₃Ni, Al_2.12La_0.88, Al₃Ni₅, and Al. The largest ones (1–2 nm) are nuclei of the Al₃Ni and Al compound, while the majority nuclei of all the other phases had sizes of about 7 Å. Al and Al₃Ni, as well as Al₁₁La₃ and Al_5.56LaNi_1.44 are observed in the crystallized alloy.