Microstructures and phase equilibria of the transition metal corner in the Rh–Al–C and Ir–Al–C ternary systems

The isotherms of the Rh–Al–C and Ir–Al–C ternary systems were determined at 1373 K for the transition metal rich corner. It has been revealed that the three-phase field consisting of primary solid solution of a transition metal, B2 type intermetallic compound and graphite extends over a very wide compositional range in these two alloy systems. There exists no carbide in related transition metal rich regions. The phase constitution in the Rh–Al–C and Ir–Al–C ternary alloys prepared by arc melting is basically the same as that by spark plasma sintering (SPS) except the presence of Al2O3 particles. The reaction scheme and liquidus surface projection in the transition metal corner of the Rh–Al–C and Ir–Al–C ternary systems were estimated by deliberating on the solidification sequence, as-cast microstructures and invariant reactions on the binary edges.