The Isothermal Section of the Sn-Sb-Ni Ternary System at 270°C

Abstract

Phase equilibria of the Sn-Sb-Ni ternary system at 270°C are experimentally determined in this work. Experimental results reveal both the Sn3Sb2 and β-SnSb phases, and thus the phase relationship near the Sn-rich corner differs from that in the 250°C isothermal section. Instead of a liquid + Ni3Sn4 + β-SnSb three-phase region, liquid + Ni3Sn4 + Sn3Sb2, Ni3Sn4 + Sn3Sb2 + τ, and Sn3Sb2 + β-SnSb + τ three-phase regions are found near the Sn-rich corner. A ternary phase (τ) is found, with stoichiometry of Ni(Sn1−x,Sbx)3, x = 0.5 to 0.78. Additionally, the Ni3Sn2 and NiSb phases form a continuous solution. The Ni3Sn and Ni3Sb phases have different structures, and thus they do not form a continuous phase region. The Ni3Sb phase has an extended Sn solubility of 14.9 at.%, while the maximum Sb solubility in the Ni3Sn phase is 3.2 at.%.