Influence of the chromium concentration on structure formation in liquid chromonickel alloys

The electrical resistivity of liquid nickel–chromium alloys is studied as a function of the temperature and concentration. Experimental data indicate that the dependence of the alloys’ electrical-resistance isotherms on the concentration is nonlinear. On the basis of the temperature and concentration dependence of the electrical resistivity of nickel and chromium alloys, the optimal conditions for the formation of microhomogeneous and equilibrium structure in the melt may be determined. The electrical-resistance isotherms of chromonickel alloys may be qualitatively explained on the basis of percolation theory and a quasi-chemical model of the microheterogeneous structure of molten metal alloys. The structure formation of chromonickel melts with increase in chromium concentration is characterized by the successive formation of clusters with different structure and dimensions. © 2016, Allerton Press, Inc.