Experimental study and thermodynamic assessment of the Cu-Fe-Ti system

The Cu-Fe-Ti ternary system has been systematically studied through experimental investigation and thermodynamic modeling. Combining diffusion multiple technique with selected equilibrated alloys, equilibrium phase relations in the Cu-Fe-Ti system at 800 °C have been established by means of SEM/EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive Spectrum) and EPMA (Electron Probe Micro-Analysis). DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) analysis has been also employed to measure phase transformation temperatures in order to construct various vertical sections of the Cu-Fe-Ti system. Liquidus projection of the ternary system has been determined by identifying primary crystallization phases in as-cast alloys. Based on all available experimental information from literatures and this work, the Cu-Fe-Ti ternary system was modeled with the aid of the CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagram) method. Comprehensive comparisons made between experimental and calculated results shed light on reliability of the current thermodynamic description.