Anomalously slow domain growth due to a modulus inhomogeneity in phase-separating alloys

Abstract

We simulate spinodal decomposition in alloys when the two phases have different shear moduli. In late stages, softer regions are anisotropically deformed and harder regions tend to be isotropic. This leads to morphologies with very slow coarsening rates. We find glassy states in which softer regions form a percolated network wrapping isotropic harder regions.