450 degrees C isothermal section of the Fe-Zn-Si ternary phase diagram

The 450 degreesC isothermal section of the Fe-Zn-Si ternary phase diagram h as been determined experimentally using optical microscopy, scanning electr on microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffractometry. The focus of the work has been concentrated on t he Zn-rich corner which is relevant to general galvanizing. The present stu dy has confirmed the existence of the equilibrium state between the liquid, the xi phase and the FeSi phase. This three phase equilibrium state preven ts the equilibrium between the liquid and the delta phase suggested by some researchers. Experimental results indicate that Si solubility in all four binary Zn-Fe compounds is limited. The Fe solubility in molten Zn was found to decrease with increasing Si content in the melt. The liquid phase bound ary was determined using a model based phenomenological approach.