The isothermal section at 600 degrees C of the Yb-Pt-Ge phase diagram was i
nvestigated using metallography, X-ray powder diffraction and electron prob
e microanalysis. Only one binary compound, Yb3Ge5, was found in the Yb-Ge s
ystem. In the ternary Yb-Pt-Ge system the formation of the three phases, Yb
2PtGe6, YbPtGe2, and YbPtGe was observed. The crystal structures of these c
ompounds were determined. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science S.A. All r
ights reserved.