The phase equilibria in the Sb-Sn system - Part II: Experimental results

Based on results from XRD, SEM/EDX and DTA, a new version of the Sb-Sn phase diagram was established that includes the Sb3Sn4 phase with R3¯m space group and a commensurately ordered superstructure that can be derived from stacking seven layers of the conventional rhombohedral SbSn cell. The close structural relationships between these two structures have so far caused Sb3Sn4 to be overlooked in most works. The phase Sb2Sn3, which had been established in some phase diagram versions without clear proof or structural description could be ruled out. Seemingly diverging literature results can now be explained in a consistent way based on a comprehensive literature review in part I and the new data from the present work, part II.