Thermodynamic modelling of the Cr–Fe–Ni–O system

There is a need to describe the influence of oxygen on high alloyed steels, both regarding oxidation processes – as in the formation of oxide layers – and regarding steel/slag processes in a metallurgical context. As a first step and in order to be able to perform calculations and simulations on these different processes, the thermodynamic properties need to be described, as done for the Cr–Fe–Ni–O system. Previous attempts to describe this system has resulted in an inconsistent description, more specifically concerning the spinel phase. The aim of the present study is to obtain a consistent thermodynamic database for the Cr–Fe–Ni–O system with an emphasis on the modelling of the spinel phase. The solid phases are described using the compound energy formalism and the metallic and ionized liquid is modelled using the ionic two-sublattice model. A complete list of all binary and higher order parameters is included

Calculations of thermophysical properties of cubic carbides and nitrides using the Debye–Grüneisen model

The thermal expansivities and heat capacities of MX (M = Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta; X = C, N) carbides and nitrides with NaCl structure were calculated using the Debye–Gru¨neisen model combined with ab initio calculations. Two different approximations for the Grüneisen parameter c were used in the Debye–Gru¨neisen model, i.e. the expressions proposed by Slater and by Dugdale and MacDonald. The thermal electronic contribution was evaluated from ab initio calculations of the electronic density of states. The calculated results were compared with CALPHAD assessments and experimental data. It was found that the calculations using the Dugdale–MacDonald c can account for most of the experimental data. By fitting experimental heat capacity and thermal expansivity data below the Debye temperatures, an estimation of Poisson’s ratio was obtained and Young’s and shear moduli were evaluated. In order to reach a reasonable agreement with experimental data, it was necessary to use the logarithmic averaged mass of the constituent atoms. The agreements between the calculated and the experimental values for the bulk and Young’s moduli are generally better than the agreement for shear modulus

Thermodynamic assessment and binary nucleation modeling of Sn-seeded InGaAs nanowires

We have performed a thermodynamic assessment of the As-Ga-In-Sn system based on the CALculation of PHAse Diagram (CALPHAD) method. This system is part of a comprehensive thermodynamic database that we are developing for nanowire materials. Specifically, the As-Ga-In-Sn can be used in modeling the growth of GaAs, InAs, and InxGa1−xAs nanowires assisted by Sn liquid seeds. In this work, the As-Sn binary, the As-Ga-Sn, As-In-Sn, and Ga-In-Sn ternary systems have been thermodynamically assessed using the CALPHAD method. We show the relevant phase diagrams and property diagrams. They all show good agreement with experimental data. Using our optimized description we have modeled the nucleation of InxGa1−xAs in the zinc blende phase from a Sn-based quaternary liquid alloy using binary nucleation modeling. We have linked the composition of the solid nucleus to the composition of the liquid phase. Eventually, we have predicted the critical size of the nucleus that forms from InAs and GaAs pairs under various conditions. We believe that our modeling can guide future experimental realization of Sn-seeded InxGa1−xAs nanowires

Thermodynamic assessment of the Ni–Te system

International audienc

Structural Determination of (Cr,Co)7C3

Chromium is one of the most well-known WC grain growth inhibitors in cemented carbides. It is thus vital to understand and to be able to thermodynamically model the prevailing phase equilibria in the WC-Co-Cr system. To do this it is important that the lower order systems, such as the Co-Cr-C system, are correctly described. Previous investigations have shown that the M7C3 (M=Cr,Co,W) phase is the first carbide to form when Cr is added in excess to the WC+fcc-Co/liquid+graphite phase field. However, the exact structure of this phase has not been investigated and there are many proposed structures already for the binary Cr7C3 carbide, ranging from trigonal, via hexagonal to orthorhombic symmetry. Recent investigations show that the hexagonal structure belonging to the P63mc space group is the stable structure at 0 K. In the present study the binary Cr7C3 carbide and a mixed M7C3 carbide are investigated. The structures of both carbides and preferential positions for Co atoms in the mixed carbide are determined by XRD measurements in combination with ab initio calculations and Rietveld refinement.QC 20130902</p