Experimental and thermodynamic study of the Mg–Sn–In–Zn quaternary system

Abstract

Phase equilibria in the Mg-rich region of the Mg–Sn–In (at 415°C and 330°C), and Mg–Sn–Zn (at 300°C) ternary systems were determined by quenching experiments, electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The ternary isoplethal sections with constant 5 In and 10 Sn at.% of Mg–In–Sn system, and 10 Sn at.% of Mg–In–Zn system were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). No ternary compounds were found in the Mg–Sn–Zn and Mg–Sn–In isothermal sections. Critical evaluation and thermodynamic optimization of the Mg–Sn–In–Zn quaternary system were carried out using CALPHAD (Calculation of Phase Diagrams) technique. The Modified Quasichemical Model in the Pair Approximation (MQMPA) was used for modeling the liquid solution, which exhibits a high degree of short-range ordering behavior. The solid phases were modeled with the Compound Energy Formalism (CEF). All available and reliable experimental data were reproduced within experimental error limits. A self-consistent thermodynamic database was constructed for the Mg–Sn–In–Zn quaternary system, which can be used as a guide for Mg-based alloys development.