Experimental study of the CeNi5–CeCu5 system

The Ce(Ni1−xCux)5 system has been studied by X-ray diffraction, DTA, aluminium drop solution calorimetry, optical and electron microscopy coupled to an EDX analysis system. The existence of a continuous, ideal solid solution Ce(Ni1−xCux)5 has been confirmed and a temperature-composition section is given. In addition, it was found that a Ni solubility exists in the solid solution shifting the composition to the Ce-poor direction. No extended Cu solubility has been observed.