Regularities of the Contact Interaction of Titanium Carbide with Ni and Ni–Mo Melts

Abstract—Regularities of the dissolution, the phase formation, and the structure formation implemented under the contact interaction conditions of titanium carbide of various compositions with Ni and Ni–(5–25%)Mo melts are investigated. It is originally established that the dissolution of carbide TiC_x in nickel-based melts is incongruent. Preferentially, carbon transfers into the melt at x ≥ 0.9 and titanium at x ≤ 0.8. The limiting stage of the dissolution is diffusion of metal atoms in the liquid phase. The formation regularities of carbide Ti_{1 – n}Mo_nC_x (K-phase)—the main product of the contact interaction in the TiC/Ni–Mo system—are revealed. It is established that the K-phase is formed under the relative excess conditions of the Ni–Mo melt preferentially according to the dissolution–isolation mechanism. The composition of autonomous isolations of the K-phase depending on the experimental conditions (1450°C, 0–25 h) varies in limits from Ti_0.4Mo_0.6C_0.7 (a = 4.27 Å) to Ti_0.7Mo_0.3C_0.6 (a = 4.29 Å). It is determined by the molybdenum concentration in the melt at the unsteady dissolution stage and by the concentration ratio between titanium and carbon in it at the steady-state dissolution stage.