A study of the Zn-Rich corner of the Zn-Fe-Sn system

The Zn-rich corner of the 450 °C isothermal section of the Zn-Fe-Sn system was experimentally determined. Within the composition range explored in this study, the liquid phase was found in equilibrium with the ternary extensions of three binary Zn-Fe phases, the ζ, δ, and Γ₁ phases. The ζ phase contains practically no Sn in solid solution; Sn solubility limits in the δ and Γ₁ phases were 2.2 at.% and 7.0 at.%, respectively. The only Fe-Sn compound detected in this study was FeSn, which co-existed with the Γ₁ phase. When its Sn content was lower than approximately 26 at.%, the liquid solidified in water quenching as a degenerated eutectic consisting of a mixture of η-Zn and β-Sn co-existing with primary ζ crystallites. When its Sn content exceeded approximately 70 at.%, the liquid transformed into metallic glass containing mostly Sn, Zn, and a small amount of Fe upon water quenching from 450 °C.