Thermodynamic evaluation of the Al–V–C system

The Al–V–C system contains the two ternary compounds V2AlC and V4AlC3 which are of considerable interest for high-temperature applications. The system is so far rather sparsely investigated experimentally and melting temperatures are not known, though expected to be high. Using the information available, including energies of the formation of the ternary compounds calculated by ab initio methods, it was possible to model the system thermodynamically using the Calphad method. The results are presented in the form of isothermal sections and a liquidus surface. The congruent melting temperatures of V2AlC and V4AlC3 are predicted to be 2790 and 2834 K, respectively.