Ternary phase equilibria at 450 °C in the Zn-Fe-P system

The 450 degrees C isothermal section of the Zn-Fe-P ternary phase diagram has been determined experimentally using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The research of the work has concentrated on the Zn-rich corner, which is relevant to galvanizing. Experimental results indicate that P solubility in liquid zinc and all four Fe-Zn compounds, including zeta, delta, Gamma(1), and Gamma, is limited at 450 degrees C. Fe2P is found to be in equilibrium with the zeta and delta phases. Fe3P is found to be in equilibrium with delta, Gamma(1), Gamma, and alpha Fe, respectively. Liquid Zn is in equilibrium with the Fe2P and FeP phases.