Intermetallic phase synthesis melting

Occasionally, a pure component (a) phase may exhibit properties markedly different from those of the intermetallic phase which is vicinal to it on the constitutional diagram. Thus, the a-phase may dissolve more readily in a solvent or it may be attacked more readily by a reagent. In such cases it may be possible to use an excess of the pure component during the high-temperature synthesis and then liberate the intermetallic product by leaching out the matrix phase. Occasionally, also, slow cooling of the alloy melt may yield well-formed crystals of the intermetallic phase embedded in the pure component matrix, which may then be removed by some solvent. Dependii on circumstances, the matrix phase may be removed by electrolytic oxidation, by aqueous acids, by bases, or by liquid NHa. For example ... 

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