Reaction of phosphorus with iron,cobalt, nickel,and manganese on heating

X-ray phase, differential thermal, and metallographic analyses are used to study the reaction of phosphorus with Fe, Co, Ni, and Mn on heating in an inert atmosphere. It is found that low-temperature endo- and exothermic effects are related to formation of Fe₃P, Co₂P, Ni₃P, and Mn₃P. The effect of eutectic contact melting on the metal-phosphide interface is observed in all specimens.