MatCalc version: 5.44.0015
Database: mc_fe.tdb, mc_x_FeCNbVN.tdb
Author: Georg Stechauner
Created: 2011-09-27
Revisions:

This example was designed to create and manipulate composition sets and to analyze complex miscibility gaps. For demonstration of the related MatCalc features, we use the Fe-C-N-Nb-V System. This system exhibits a distinct miscibility gap for the complex (NbV)(CN) carbo-nitride.

The example starts with describing the methodology for identification of miscibility gaps and explains how to seperate two different populations in MatCalc. A numerical problem involving local minima will occur in the example. Various solution strategies are discussed.

The second part of the example involves two special problems. The first one demonstrates the “Use major constituents” option, the second one shows how changes in the chemical composition will make the miscibility gap disappear.

• E20 - Thermodynamic equilibrium analysis for continuous casting simulation of micro-alloyed Fe-Al-C-N-Nb-Ti steel. Part E20-1 - Thermodynamic equilibrium analysis

Click here to view the script for this tutorial.

Start by setting up the thermodynamics. Use the mc_fe.tdb or the above listed example database and select the elements and phase according to the figure below.

Open the composition window and enter the following values (in wt%):

Calculate an equilibrium at 1500C.

When looking at the phase details window, one observes instantaneously that MatCalc automatically creates a second phase with the name FCC_A1#01. This behavior is due to the following linein the database:

 ADD_COMPOSITION_SET FCC_A1 :TI,NB,V:C,N: ! 

If the phase FCC_A1 is selected, and at least one element of the substitutional sublattice (Ti, Nb, V) and one element of the interstitial sublattice (C, N) are selected, the FCC_A1#01 phase is automatically generated. The new phase represents the complex carbo-nitride phase, which is of fcc_a1 crystal lattice type, just like the matrix fcc_a1 phase.

Plot the phase fraction F$FCC_A1#01 and the fraction of elements in phase X$FCC_A1#01$* over temperature in Celsius. Perform a stepped calculation from 1500 to 800C in intervals of 10C.

This figure shows us that, at a temperature of about 1300C, a NbC carbide phase forms within the fcc_a1 parent matrix. At about 1070C, the phase fraction jumps up to a higher value and the slope is steeper than before. Simultaneously, the chemical composition of the complex carbo-nitride changes rapidly from a NbC-rich particle to a precipitate rich in V and C,N.

This behavior is often a strong indication that a second sort of carbo-nitride will eventually become stable at this temperature. This is investigated next.

Create the second carbo-nitride phase manually by opening the 'Phase status…' window and selecting the FCC_A1 phase. Create an equilibrium phase, which will be called FCC_A1#02.

As we have identified before, the first carbo-nitride phase is assumed to be NbC. Therefore, set the major constituents of

FCC_A1#01 to :Nb:C:

Press 'Set now' in the 'Phase status…' dialog and select 'yes'.

When studying the figure above, we can see, that the phase, which starts to form at 1070C, seems to be composed of VN. Set the major constituents of

FCC_A1#02 to :V:N:

and press 'Set now' and 'yes' again.

The phase details window should now look like this:

FCC_A1#01 now represents NbC, with a composition about 50%C and 50%Nb, whereas FCC_A1#02, which represents VN, is set to about 50%N and 50%V. Duplicate and lock all series from the phase fraction diagram, and remove the plot showing the chemical composition.

Calculate an equilibrium again at 1500C and perform the stepped calculation as before.

Add two more plots and add F$FCC_A1#02 to the phase fraction plot, X$FCC_A1#01$* and X$FCC_A1#02$* to the two new plots.

From the figure showing the phase fractions, it can be directly observed that the previously calculated carbo-nitride *F$FCC_A1#01 is almost the cumulative curve of NbC FCC_A1#01 and VN FCC_A1#02.

The other plots (chemical composition) show that NbC is stable over the entire temperature range. VN, on the other hand, transforms to a more stable VC at temperatures below 930C.

To simulate the first problem, change the chemical composition to the following values (in wt%):

Calculate an equilibrium at 1500 C and set automatic start values. Now perform a stepped calculation from 1500C to 800C in intervals of 10C. What you should see is an inconsistency at about 1250C. At this point, MatCalc is not sure, which phase should be NbC and VN. Therefore, we observe this spike in the diagrams.

To enforce the use of the set major constituents more rigorously, we set the flag for 'enforce major constituents' in the 'Phase status…' windows.

After performing the same stepped calculation again, you should observe a plot, which is similar to the one of the first part of this example. However, the spike is supposed to be absent now.

For the simulation of the second problem, close all plots and remove the 'Enforce major constituents…' flags. Set the chemical composition to (in wt%):

Note how similar this alloy is compared to the first one. The only difference can be found in the higher amounts of nitrogen.

After performing the stepped calculation, we observe that there is obviously no miscibility gap in this system. This is seen clearly in the phase fraction diagram (Go on! Plot one!), which is a curve, without any discontinuities in the phase fraction curve or rapid changes in the gradient.

Plotting the chemical composition shows that higher amounts of N stabilize the VN-rich precipitates and prevent the formation of NbC as a separate stable phase.

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