560°C isothermal section of the Zn–Fe–Ni–Si quaternary system at the zinc-rich corner

Abstract

Abstract The 560°C isothermal section of the Zn – Fe – Ni – Si quaternary system with the Zn composition being fixed at 93 at.% has been determined using optical microscopy, scanning electronic microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffractometry. It was found that FeSi is in equilibrium with almost all phases in the section, including the δ-Fe – Zn, FeSi2, T (Zn – Fe – Ni ternary compound), γ-Ni – Zn, NiSi2 and liquid phases. The existence of the L + FeSi + NiSi2 + γ-Ni – Zn four-phase equilibrium prevents other Ni-Si compounds from entering equilibrium with the liquid phase at 560°C. No true quaternary compound was found in the present study.