Spinodal decomposition in ternary Fe-Cr-Co system

Using the exact muffin-tin orbitals method in conjunction with the coherent potential approximation we have studied the tendency towards spinodal decomposition of solid solution in ternary Fe-Cr-Co system. In addition, we have estimated the Curie temperature of the alloys, and considered the influence of the magnetic state on the decomposition thermodynamics of the ternary alloys. Using the mean field approximation, we have estimated the finite temperature effects on the alloys free energy. We predict that an increase Co and Cr content in the ternary Fe-Cr-Co system increases the tendency of the bcc (α)-FexCryCoz alloys towards the spinodal decomposition. Because of this, high magnetic properties and high thermal stability of these properties can be expected in the Fe-Cr-Co alloys with high Co content.