Primary phase alignment in the Mg-Sb system with a 35T DC magnetic field

Primary phase alignment behavior in the Mg-Sb system is explored by solidification of samples in a 35 tesla DC magnetic field. Compositions with multiple solidification reaction pathways are found to have different phase alignment characteristics.~ In the current study, the orientation of Mg and Sb primary grains do not appear to be strongly influenced, but the $\alpha $-Mg3Sb2 shows a very strong tendency to align with its long axis perpendicular to the field direction. In comparing two compositions that both first nucleate $\alpha $-Mg3Sb2 from the melt, it is found that the volume fraction involved in the primary reaction is a controlling factor for the total degree of alignment throughout the structure. This volume fraction dependence is interpreted as hindering free rotation in the liquid.~