Eutectic growth in space

Abstract

Defect-free eutectic components are favoured for certain applications in view of their improved performance and/or better stability. Eutectics produced even under best conditions possible on earth have some microstructural defects. Unavoidable density driven convectional currents in liquid are considered as a major cause for the production of these defects. Intensity of such convectional currents proportionally reduces with gravity. Therefore the defect density in the eutectics is expected to be very low when processed under microgravity conditions. The advantages and limitations of processing under microgravity conditions are examined. The potential of newly developed 'skin technology' for processing eutectic components in space is considered.