Experimental investigation of the ternary system Ni–Pd–Sn with special focus on the B8-type phase

Abstract

The ternary alloy system Ni–Pd–Sn was investigated experimentally from 700 °C upwards, with special focus on the general NiAs-type compounds. The phase diagram and crystallographic parameters were studied by means of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), light optical microscopy (LOM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in combination with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). An isothermal section at 700 °C was constructed wherein a continuous phase field between the binary NiAs-type compounds γ (PdSn) and Ni3Sn2 (high temperature modification) was detected. A series of samples throughout this phase field was used to investigate lattice parameter variations, occupation of the atomic sites and the melting behaviour. A partial ordering of the transition metals was observed.Moreover, three vertical sections at 30 at.%, 40 at.% and 50 at.% Sn were determined. Altogether, seven ternary invariant phase reactions were discovered: two ternary eutectic reactions, one ternary eutectoid reaction, three ternary transition reactions and one maximum. A complete reaction scheme for the investigated temperature range is given. Furthermore, a partial liquidus surface projection, except for the low-temperature Sn-rich region, was developed.