Indication of liquid-liquid phase transition in CuZr-based melts

Abstract
We study the dynamic behavior of CuZr-based melts well above the liquidus temperature. The results show a discontinuous change in viscosity during cooling, which is attributed to an underlying liquid-liquid phase transition (LLPT) in these melts. The LLPT is further verified by thermodynamic response in the same temperature region. We find that the LLPT in the Cu46Zr46Al8 melt is reversible above 1350 K upon repeated heating and cooling. Based on the concept of fluid cluster in metallic melts, the reversible LLPT is attributed to the structural transition from the strongly ordered high-density liquids to the weak-local low-density liquids upon cooling.