Abstract
In this investigation a microstructural characterization of the phases obtained in ternary and quaternary alloys was undertaken. One of the main objectives of this study was to explore the possibility of quasicrystalline phases formation under normal casting conditions from the liquid melt. The alloys investigated, were melted in an induction furnace and subsequently cast into a wedge shaped copper mould, which resulted in different cooling velocities in the same ingot. The thick and thin sections of the ingots were characterized by: Optical microscopy, x-ray diffractometry, chemical analysis using EDS and atomic absorption spectroscopy.