Experimental investigation and thermodynamic prediction of the Cu–Sb–Zn phase diagram

Ternary Cu–Sb–Zn system has been thermodynamically assessed by using CALPHAD method and experimentally by DSC and SEM-EDS methods. The liquidus projection, invariant equilibria, several vertical sections and isothermal sections at 450 °C and 25 °C were predicted using COST 531 Thermodynamic Database. Phase transition temperatures of alloys along three predicted vertical sections of the Cu–Sb–Zn ternary system with molar ratios Cu:Zn = 1:3, Cu:Zn = 1 and Sb:Zn = 1, were determined by DSC analysis. Predicted isothermal sections at 450 °C and 25 °C were compared with the results of the SEM-EDS analysis. The calculated values were found to be in a good agreement with the experimentally obtained values and literature data.

► Calculated constitutive binary system based on the literature data. ► Experimentally determined (DSC) temperatures of phase transformations compared with analytical calculation. ► Definition of several vertical sections. ► Calculated horizontal section, confirmed by experimental SEM-EDS method. ► Calculated liquidus surface projection with invariant reaction in ternary Cu–Sb–Zn system.