Synthesis of In-Sb alloys by directional solidification in microgravity and normal gravity condition

Buoyancy convection and gravitational segregation caused by density differences can be suppressed under microgravity conditions. Therefore, it is expected that high quality materials unobtainable on the ground can be produced by homogeneous mixing materials with different densities. On the other hand, compositional gradient which had once formed under normal gravity condition is maintained under microgravity condition. This compositional gradient will be available for the production of functionally graded material. In this study, as a fundamental research for production of functionally graded material, the synthesis of indium antimonide with several compositional ratio has been carried out under a short time microgravity conditions. Microgravity experiment has been performed by 1.2 sec drop tower facility in Hokkaido National Research Institute (HNIRI). The structure of indium antimonide alloy concerning with composition has been investigated.