Eutectic Crystallization: Multi‐Step Crystallization of Self‐Organized Spiral Eutectics (Small 8/2020)

In article number 1906146, Robert O. Ritchie, Ashwin J. Shahani, and co-workers investigate the origins of certain eutectics that grow into spiral geometry. The spiral formation follows a two-step process, wherein the first step is mediated by the low solid–liquid interfacial energy of a precursor phase, and the second step by crystallographic defects on the precursor. The cover features a computed X-ray nano-tomography image of spiral eutectics in Mg-Zn alloy showing multiple spiral eutectic colonies with the eutectic MgZn2 and Zn phases shown in dark and light false colors (image courtesy of H. Bale).