Application of computer techniques to prediction of metastable transitions in metallic systems

Abstract

All binary systems composed of Fe, Cr, Ni, Co, Al, Nb, Mo, Ti, C and W have been analyzed and explicit descriptions of solution and compound phases generated in terms of lattice stability, solution and compound phase parameters. These descriptions were employed to calculate the phase diagrams and thermochemical properties. Computer-based extension to calculation of the one hundred and twenty ternary systems based on these metals was completed and applied to thirty of these ternaries covering cases where some experimental data are available. The agreement attained between calculated and observed diagrams shows that the method provides an important tool for prediction of phase diagrams. Since the calculated output also includes the phase boundaries between metastable phases, the computational system provides a means for investigating temperature and composition ranges where metastable phases are most likely to be retained on rapid quenching. In addition, composition ranges where high liquid stability occurs can also be located. Such regions are most likely to yield amorphous phases on rapid quenching. The computational system has been stored on a time sharing network and is available via teletype in the United States.