The United States of America As Represented by the Administrator of the

John C McClure

Mary H Johnston

Richard A Parr

Monotectic alloys having aligned spherical particles or rods of the minor component dispersed in a matrix of the major component are prepared by forming a melt containing predetermined amounts of the major and minor components of a chosen monotectic system, providing in the melt a dopant capable of breaking down the liquid-solid interface for the chosen alloy, and directionally solidifying the melt at a selected temperature gradient and a selected rate of movement of the liquid-solid interface (growth rate). Shaping of the minor component into spheres or rods and the spacing therebetween are controlled by the amount of dopant and the temperature gradient and growth rate values. Specific alloy systems include Al-Bi,Al-Pb and Zn-Bi, using a transition element such as iron.

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John C McClure