Experimental investigation of the Al–Ce–Nd system

In the framework of a systematic investigation of intermetallic systems including rare earths and aluminum, Ce–Nd–Al alloys have recently been investigated by x-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis. In particular, the Ce–Nd–Al isothermal section at 500 ring operatorC has been experimentally determined. This section is characterized by several line compounds extending from the binary R–Al subsystems into the ternary field. Complete solid solutions are found in the ternary system when the Ce–Al and the corresponding Nd–Al compounds are isostructural (CeAl3 and NdAl3, CeAl2 and NdAl2). The remaining binary phases show lower ternary solubilities. These results have been used together with the thermodynamic data available in literature on the binary subsystems for a thermodynamic modeling and optimization of the Ce–Nd–Al system, by means of the CALPHAD method (Calphad (this issue)).