A thermodynamic modeling of the C–Cr–Ta ternary system

The experimental phase diagram data of the C–Cr–Ta ternary system available in the literature were critically reviewed. A thermodynamic modeling of the ternary system was then conducted by taking into account the literature data including the isothermal sections and invariant reactions. A set of self-consistent thermodynamic parameters for the Gibbs energies of individual phases in the C–Cr–Ta system was obtained by using the CALPHAD approach. Comprehensive comparisons between the calculated and measured phase diagrams show that all the reliable experimental information is satisfactorily accounted for by the present thermodynamic description.

Research highlights► The phase equilibrium data in the C–Cr–Ta system available in the literature were critically reviewed. On the basis of reliable experimental data, a thermodynamic description of the ternary system was developed. Comprehensive comparisons show that all the experimental data are well accounted for by the present description. ► The liquidus projection and reaction scheme of the C–Cr–Ta system over wide temperature and composition ranges were presented, which is of interest for practical applications as well as basic materials research.