Experimental investigation and thermodynamic calculation of the Co–Zn–Zr ternary system

Abstract

The phase equilibria of the Co–Zn–Zr ternary system were systematically studied by combining experimental analysis and thermodynamic modelling. The 450 °C isothermal section at the Zn-rich corner and the 600 °C isothermal section of Co–Zn–Zr system were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Seventeen and ten three-phase regions were obtained at 600 and 450 °C isothermal sections, respectively. Three stable ternary compounds named τ1 (ZrCo2Zn20), τ2 (Zr5Co3Zn12) and τ3 (Zr10Co3Zn7) were found in the 600 °C isothermal section. Among them, the Bravais lattice symmetry of the τ2 phase is a simple tetragonal lattice, and its lattice parameters are a = 8.945 Å, b = 8.945 Å, c = 11.737 Å and α = β = γ = 90°. Based on the comprehensive evaluation of the current experimental results and the data reported in the literature, the thermodynamic description of the system was developed using the CALPHAD technique. A set of self-consistent thermodynamic parameters for the Co–Zn–Zr ternary system was obtained with good agreement between the experimental and calculated results.