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Abstract
The concept of metastability in alloy microstructures and phases is reviewed. A survey of the temperature and composition dependence of the viscosity of liquid alloys is used in examining the kinetic competition between formation of an intermetallic compound or of an amorphous phase, in rapid quenching or solid-state amorphization (SSA). The metastable equilibria relevant in SSA are considered, including possible effects of mechanical working. The origins of a critical reaction layer thickness are analysed.