Monotectic four-phase reaction in Al–Bi–Zn alloys

Thermodynamic phase diagram calculations were used for the systematic search for a monotectic four-phase reaction in ternary Al-alloys. Systems with intermetallic phases and also the elements Cd and Hg were excluded in the present search. The ternary Al–Bi–Zn is a rare occasion where such a reaction, L′ = L″ + (Al)′ + (Zn), actually occurs. Experimental work could be focused on key samples in that system and involved DSC for thermal analysis and calorimetry, and also metallographic analysis using SEM/EDX. Experimental results verify the existence of the monotectic reaction and were also used for a quantitative thermodynamic modeling of Al–Bi–Zn. Solidification paths and microstructures of Al–Bi–Zn alloys are shown to be rather complex. Using thermodynamic calculations, these rich details involving up to three invariant reactions and unexpected monovariant reaction types can be clearly revealed and understood.