Eutectic α-Fe2Si5 and ε-FeSi grown by the Czochralski method from arc melt

We have grown eutectic bulk crystals of alpha-Fe2Si5 and epsilon-FeSi by means of the Czochralski method from an arc melt with a tungsten rod. This method has the advantages of a one-step growth process and of the possible control of the crystal size. We obtained a crystal whose diameter was as large as 5 mm. Obtained crystals have a fibrous structure of epsilon-FeSi in an alpha-Fe2Si5 matrix. The epsilon-phase forms into fine rods of 1.2 mum width, which were densely distributed in the alpha-phase. The microstructure can be transformed in single-phase beta-FCSi2 upon thermal annealing, The X-ray diffraction pattern of the obtained beta-phase was also presented.