Systematic search of low melting point alloys in the Fe–Cr–Mn–Mo–C system

In ternary systems, the liquidus surface is usually represented by a group of constant temperature contours projected onto a composition plane, i.e. the liquidus projection. The liquidus univariant lines indicate the conditions under which two solid phases coexist with the liquid phase. Those lines intersect at eutectics and peritectics. The univariant lines can also be projected onto a temperature vs. composition plane; this diagram allows easy identification of the lowest liquidus temperature on the system, covering the whole composition range of each component. This type of representation can also be used in quaternary and multicomponent systems, as a systematic tool to identify low melting point alloys as well as the solid phases involved at that temperature. This approach has been used in the present work to search low melting point alloys in the Fe–Cr–Mn–Mo–C system, using univariant line projections calculated with Thermo-Calc software and selected thermodynamic databases. The analysis covered the whole quinary system as well as the related binaries, ternaries and quaternaries. Some selected alloys of this system were prepared by mixing the elemental powders; the liquidus temperature was checked using calorimetric methods. The agreement between calculations and experiments is satisfactory.