Abstract
Metastable CoxCu100-x alloys with extended cobalt solubility (5 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 20), which can not be obtained by equilibrium methods, were prepared by melt spinning. The separation of the cobalt rich phase upon heating was monitored by X-ray diffraction and calorimetric measurements. The volume fraction of cobalt rich particles can not be determined using X-ray diffraction if the cobalt rich particle size is below a critical value. The separation of the cobalt rich phase seems to be a three step process including nucleation, growth, and coarsening. The non-isothermal kinetics of nucleation and growth of the cobalt rich phase were analysed in terms of a modified Kissinger model. The heat release during phase separation is closely related to the amount of cobalt dissolved in the copper matrix. (C) 1996 The Institute of Materials.