Interaction of the components in the Ag–Er–Sn system at 400 °C

The phase equilibria in the Ag–Er–Sn ternary system at 400 °C were studied over the whole composition range by means of X-ray diffraction and scan electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. A new ternary compound with composition of Er24.6Ag18.9Sn56.5, designed τ, and binary phase Er3Sn7 had been discovered. The Er3Sn7 phase adopts the Tb3Sn7 structure type with lattice constants of a = 0.4377 (1) nm, b = 2.5578 (9) nm and c = 0.4333 (2) nm. Other two ternary compounds, i.e., AgErSn2 and AgErSn, were confirmed, too.