Critical thermodynamic evaluation and optimization of the Pb–Pr, Pb–Nd, Pb–Tb and Pb–Dy systems

Abstract

All available experimental data on phase equilibria and thermodynamic properties of the Pb–Pr, Pb–Nd, Pb–Tb and Pb–Dy binary systems were reviewed and critically examined. A thermodynamic optimization of these systems is presented for the first time. A set of optimized model parameters for all solid stoichiometric compounds, terminal solid solutions and liquid phase was built to reproduce all available reliable thermodynamic properties and phase diagram data within experimental error limits. The Modified Quasichemical Model in the pair approximation was used to describe the thermodynamic properties of the liquid solution accurately. In view of the limited experimental phase diagram and thermodynamic data available for these systems, trends in the rare earth-lead and rare earth–tin systems were examined to estimate the missing information and evaluate whether the predictions are reasonable. Based on these trends, a predicted phase diagram for the Pb–Nd and Pb–Tb systems, which are not established to date, is presented.