Mechanism of the intermetallic phase / compound growth on the substrate

Purpose: An analytical model is provided in order to reveal the mechanism of the intermetallic multi-layer formation on a substrate. Thus, formations of the Al3Ni2 - Al3Ni intermetallic multi-layer on the Ni - substrate and Fe3Zn10 - FeZn10 - FeZn13 intermetallic multi-layer on the Fe (armco) multi-layer are considered. Design/methodology/approach: The intermetallic multi-layers are the products of the undercooled peritectic reactions as this results from the model. Back-diffusion and partitioning as the phenomena accompanying the peritectic reactions are employed to describe the sub-layers growth. Research limitations/implications: The model could be modified to describe the multi-layers formation under the metastable conditions. Practical implications: The modelled descriptions of the mechanism of multi-layer formation seems to be a good tool to control the technologies like: diffusion soldering / brazing or hot dip galvanizing into zinc bath. Originality/value: This is quite new model revealing the mechanism of the intermetallic multi-layer formation based on the original theory of solute redistribution after back-diffusion.