Experimental investigation and thermodynamic modeling of the Cr-Ni-Si system

The constitution of the Cr-Ni-Si ternary system is established via experiment and thermodynamic modeling. In the experimental section, 35 decisive alloys, the compositions of which are based on a preliminary calculation using available literature data, are prepared by are melting of cold-pressed pellets and annealing at 900 degrees C for 25 days. Water-quenched samples are analyzed by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques. In the modeling section, a consistent thermodynamic data set for the Cr-Ni-Si system is obtained by considering the present experimental results and reliable literature data. Comparisons between the calculated and measured phase diagrams show that the experimental information is satisfactorily accounted for by the thermodynamic modeling. The liquidus projection and reaction scheme for the entire ternary system are presented.