Thermodynamic modelling of the Ce–Ni system

Abstract

Abstract The phase equilibria in the Ni-rich part of the Ce–Ni binary system were re-determined using DTA, metallography and SEM/EDX. CeNi5+x presents a Ni solubility up to x = 0.53 at 1073 K. The melting point of CeNi5 is 1608 ± 5 K and the CeNi5+x –Ni eutectic has been observed at 1477 ± 5 K and x(Ni) = 0.91. The enthalpy of formation of stoichiometric CeNi5 has been measured by drop dissolution calorimetry in liquid aluminium and a value of Δf H = – 29.1 ± 2.2 kJ/moles of atoms was derived. Based on this new experimental data and literature values, a complete thermodynamic modelling of the Ce–Ni diagram was performed.