About the TCS Cu-based Alloys Database (TCCU)

TCS Cu-based Alloys Database (TCCU) is a thermodynamic and properties database for copper-based alloys. The database includes nearly all stable phases in the assessed systems that may form in as-cast and aged Cu-based alloys.

TCCU6 is based on the critical evaluation of binary and ternary systems which enables predictions to be made for multicomponent systems and alloys of industrial importance. A hybrid approach of experiments, first-principles calculations, and CALPHAD modeling has been used to obtain thermodynamic descriptions of the constituent binary and ternary systems over the whole composition and temperature ranges.

The database can be used to calculate various phase diagrams and property diagrams in the assessed systems or even extrapolated higher-order systems. The extrapolation to higher-order systems helps to understand the phase equilibria in multicomponent industrial copper alloys, so as to predict the phase formation, phase fractions and phase compositions or to calculate the driving force of forming a phase. The database is validated where possible against commercial Cu-based alloys and available experimental information.

The database can be used with our entire suite of products: Thermo-Calc, the Add-on Diffusion (DICTRA), Precipitation (TC-PRISMA), and/or Additive Manufacturing Modules, and all available SDKs.

The thermodynamic database is compatible with the corresponding mobility database TCS Cu-based Alloys Mobility Database (MOBCU) that provides kinetic data for those working with the add-on kinetic modules – the Diffusion Module (DICTRA) and the Precipitation Module (TC-PRISMA) – as well as a few specific calculation types, such as Scheil with back diffusion. The current version of the mobility database is MOBCU5.

There are examples available to both demonstrate the validation of the database and to showcase the types of calculations that can be used for different materials or application area.

About the Database Examples

Calculate the following based on your actual alloy chemistry using TCCU6:

  • Thermophysical properties, such as specific heat, enthalpy, latent heat, density, electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity as a function of temperature, and coefficients of thermal expansion.

  • Phase-based properties, such as critical transformation temperatures e.g. solvus temperatures of precipitates, solubility limits, chemical activities, viscosity and surface tension of liquid phase, amounts and compositions of all phases and phase diagrams.

  • Equilibrium and non-equilibrium solidification, such as liquidus, solidus, incipient melt temperatures, freezing range, fraction solid curves, solidification path, fraction eutectic, microsegregation, partition coefficients, latent heat, and shrinkage.

  • Predict solidification behavior of Cu-alloys in Thermo‑Calc using the Scheil Calculator (in Graphical Mode) or the SCHEIL module (in Console Mode).

With the addition of Add-on Modules you can also do more advanced calculations such as:

  • With the addition of the Diffusion Module (DICTRA), calculate optimal homogenization temperatures, time needed to homogenize any chemical segregation arising from solidification, and/or dissolve precipitates, and much more.

  • With the addition of the Precipitation Module (TC-PRISMA), calculate concurrent nucleation, growth/dissolution, coarsening of precipitate phases, volume fraction, and size distribution as a function of time. You can also simulate multi-particle precipitation during aging treatment, and much more.

It is possible to combine several databases to make calculations using Thermo‑Calc. For more information related to a specific type of problem, contact one of our support specialists at info@thermocalc.com. The experts are available to make recommendations on the most suitable database to use for your needs.

TCCU: TCS Cu-based Alloys Database Revision History. The current version of the database is TCCU6. See the link for any subversion release details.