Solidification behaviour of Fe-Gd-Mo alloys

Microstructures of the solidified Fe-Gd-Mo ternary alloys have been examine d using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The nature and chemical c omposition of the different phases present have been determined by electron probe X-ray microanalysis and X-ray diffraction. These results have been u tilized to construct a liquidus projection of the Fe-Gd-Mo system, taking i nto account the thermal effects detected in the course of solidification wi th the use of differential thermal analysis. Six ternary peritectic reactio ns and two ternary eutectic reactions have been found to occur within the l iquidus projection. These observations have been used to establish the soli dification sequences of the Fe-Gd-Mo alloys studied. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scie nce S.A. All rights reserved.