Phase composition of arc-melted alloys in the ternary systemCe–Al–Cu (Cu-poor portion)

The phase composition of arc-melted alloys in the ternary system Ce–Al–Cu (Cu-poor portion) in the as-cast state were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The investigated composition region consists of 16 single-phase, 32 two-phase and 17 three-phase regions. In as-cast state, the solubilities of the solid solution phases were determined. The CeAlCu compound decomposes into three phases: Ce(Al0.92Cu0.08)2, Ce(Al0.4Cu0.6)5 and Ce2AlCu2 in as-cast state. Based on the constructed phase composition regions of the investigated alloys in the as-cast state, it reveals that the reported composition region of the bulk glass alloys in the Ce–Al–Cu system falls in the three-phase regions 15–17 with α-Ce3Al as the common phase which is supposed to play an important role in the glass-forming process.