Critical thermodynamic evaluation and optimization of the Ag-Zr, Cu-Zr and Ag-Cu-Zr systems and its applications to amorphous Cu-Zr-Ag alloys

A complete literature review, critical evaluation and thermodynamic modeling of the phase diagrams and thermodynamic properties of all solid and liquid phases in the Ag-Zr, Cu-Zr and Ag-Cu-Zr systems at 1 bar total pressure are presented. Optimized model equations for the thermodynamic properties of all phases were obtained which reproduce all available thermodynamic and phase equilibrium data within experimental error limits from 25 degrees C to above the liquidus temperatures at all compositions. Using the optimized model parameters, the phase diagram of the Ag-Cu-Zr system was predicted properly for the first time. In particular, the ternary liquid miscibility gap is predicted from model parameters, which is important for the applications to the Cu-Zr-Ag amorphous alloy design. The database of optimized model parameters was applied to calculating the amorphous formation diagram of the Cu-Zr-Ag alloys. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.