THE EFFECT OF MAGNETIC-FIELD ON CRYSTALLIZATION OF GAMMA-PHASE ALLOY IN THE CU-ZN SYSTEM

By the use of a vertical Bridgman furnace, the magnetic field effect on crystallization of gamma-phase alloy in the Cu-Zn system has been investigated in vertically applied magnetic fields up to 35,000 Oe. The macroscopic examination of longitudinal sections of unidirectionally crystallized alloys showed that the magnetic field applied throughout the crystallization results in the occurrence of grains. The back-reflection Laue photographs taken for each grain revealed that the distribution of grain orientation becomes even throughout the longitudinal section with increasing magnetic field strength. The present observations are discussed by taking into account the change of magnetic free energy which results from the change of magnetic susceptibility accompanied by the phase transition from liquid state to solid one.