Phase equilibria in the Al–Mo–Si system

The ternary Al–Mo–Si phase diagram was investigated by a combination of optical microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Ternary phase equilibria were investigated within two isothermal sections at 600 °C for the Mo-poor part and 1400 °C for the Mo-rich part of the phase diagram. The solubility ranges of several phases including MoSi2 (C11b) as well as Mo(Si,Al)2 with C40 and C54 structure were determined. The binary high temperature phase Al4Mo was found to be stabilized at 600 °C by addition of Si. DTA was used to identify 9 invariant reactions and thus constructing a ternary reaction scheme (Scheil diagram) in the whole composition range. A liquidus surface projection was constructed on basis of the reaction scheme in combination with data for primary crystallization from as-cast samples determined by SEM measurements.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► Isothermal sections at 600 and 1400 °C investigated. ► Ternary reaction scheme (Scheil diagram) between 577 and 1917 °C established. ► Liquidus surface projection determined.