New Insights into Phase Equilibria of the Sb-Sn System

A new experimental investigation of the Sb-Sn phase diagram has been performed. Special attention was focused on the phase equilibria within SbSn-Sb3Sn4 composition range. Phase equilibria have been investigated by DSC measurements combined with a thorough optical and electronic microscopy examination with a special attention to the SbSn-Sb3Sn4 phase transformation. Both DSC and metallographic results have been critically evaluated and debated. The presence of two peritectic reactions L + Sb3Sn4 ⇌ (βSn) at 243 ± 1 °C and L + (Sb) ⇌ (SbSn) at 420 ± 1 °C have been confirmed. The invariant reaction at 321 ± 1 °C has been observed and an additional small effect at about 330-340 °C was systematically recorded. These results have been extensively discussed.