Phase equilibria in the Ni-rich portion of the Ni–Ga binary system

The phase equilibria in the composition range from 0 to 60 at% Ga of the Ni–Ga system were determined by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) using diffusion couples, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that while the phase equilibria between the α′ (L12: Ni3Ga) and α (Ni-solid solution) or β (B2: NiGa) phases are basically in agreement with the diagram evaluated by Lee and Nash, those between γ (B81: Ni13Ga7), δ (Cmmm: Ni5Ga3) and ɛ (C2/m: Ni13Ga9) are topologically different from that diagram. Three eutectoid reactions (γ → δ + ɛ, β → γ + ɛ, β → α′ + γ) and one peritectoid reaction (α′ + γ → δ) were confirmed and the temperatures and concentrations of those invariant reactions were determined.