Calphad-type assessment of the Sb-Sn-Zn ternary system

The ternary Sb-Sn-Zn phase diagram was investigated experimentally by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) of long-term annealed samples. The overall composition of each sample was measured by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The experimental results, together with additional available literature data, were used to perform a CALPHAD-type thermodynamic assessment of this ternary system. Two calculated isothermal sections (250 and 350 °C), an isopleth (x(Sn)=17.57%) and the Zn activity in liquid ternary Sb-Sn-Zn alloys at 550 °C for the composition ratio Sn/Sb=1/3 and at 650 °C for the ratio Sn/Sb=9 are presented with experimental points superimposed. The liquidus projection for the ternary Sb-Sn-Zn system is also presented. The agreement between calculated and experimental results is reasonable.