450 °C isothermal section of the Zn-Fe-Sb ternary phase diagram

The 450 degrees C isothermal section of the Zn-Fe-Sb ternary phase diagram has been determined experimentally, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with wave dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (WDS) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). One ternary compound FeZnSb was found in this system at 450 degrees C. Experimental results indicate that the Sb solubility in alpha-Fe phase is less than 2 at.%. The SbZn, Sb2Zn3 and Sb3Zn4 phases were observed in the system; these compounds have small solid solution ranges (<5 at.% Fe). Sb is almost insoluble in the zeta and Gamma compounds, and the solid solubilities of Fe and Zn in the Sb-rich phase are also limited at 450 degrees C. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V.