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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 February 2011
Directional solidification of intermetallic compounds using the optical imaging floating zone technique is discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of the technique are described, and the systems to which this technique has been applied are listed. Finally, application of the technique to growing in situ Cr2Nb/Nb composites is described. It is shown that well aligned, fine microstructures can be obtained using the technique. The aspect ratio of the Cr2Nb platelets is 200:1, or better, and are a few microns thick. The Cr2Nb has a strong <220> texture along the growth axis but the Nb is nearly random.