Phase characterization in the Fe−Co−V and Fe−Co−Nb systems

Two distinct phases of the Fe?Co?Nb and three of the Fe?Co?V systems have been studied by means of X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The dependence of the lattice parameter of the alpha phase on the nominal solute content in equiatomic FeCo together with the alterations of the Mössbauer spectra have shown a very limited solubility of niobium in alpha FeCo. There are indications that the solubility of vanadium in alpha FeCo increases with increasing nominal content of solute in the alloy. A mechanism involving the withdrawal of cobalt from the alpha matrix to form a phase rich in Co and V (gamma) is proposed to explain such a varying solubility. The vanadium content of the sigma phase in equiatomic FeCo alloys with 22 wt% V is proposed to be less than 50 at%.