Studies of the phase equilibria in the Ag-Sn-Zn system

The isothermal section of the equilibrium phase diagram Ag-Sn-Zn has been c onstructed at 380 degreesC using optical and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray analyses, microhardness measurements and differential scanning calori metry. The ternary beta phase (solid solution range of the binary AgZn beta phase) contains up to approximate to 13 at.% Sn, the epsilon phase about 0 .2 at.% SN. The solubility of Zn in the Ag-Sn-based intermetallic phases is determined for the first time. The microhardness of the gamma phase (appro ximate to 450 MPa) is the highest in the system Ag-Sn-Zn. A linear dependen ce of the microhardness versus mol fraction of silver has been revealed for the epsilon phase. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BY. All rights reserved.