Phase Relations In the Fe–Ni–s System From 875 To 650 °C

Abstract High-form pentlandite of composition Fe 4.93 Ni 4.06 S 8.01 first crystallizes by peritectic reaction between liquid and monosulfide solid-solution at 870 ± 3 °C (865 ± 3 °C for high-form pentlandite with Fe=Ni in at.%) in the Fe–Ni–S system; it forms a limited solid-solution from Fe 5.08 Ni 3.93 S 7.99 to Fe 3.81 Ni 5.24 S 7.96 including the ideal composition Fe 4.50 Ni 4.50 S 8.00 at 850 °C. The solid solution grows rapidly to extend its field toward the Ni-rich side with decreasing temperature and connects with β 2 (44.7 at.% S) in the Ni–S join at 806 ± 3 °C (peritectic between liquid and Ni 1– x S). Below the peritectic temperature, high-form pentlandite (metal-rich composition) crystallizes directly from liquid. This crystallization continues to the eutectic (746 ± 3 °C for the high form with Fe=Ni) with decreasing temperature, and the high-form solid solution grows still more. Crystallization of the monosulfide solid-solution and high-form pentlandite solid solution from liquid finishes at 762 ± 3 °C and 739 ± 3 °C, respectively. The high-form pentlandite solid solution extended from the Ni–S join is maintained at 700 and 650 °C and coexists with monosulfide solid-solution and/or with liquid (870 to 739 °C), and/or with β 1 or its solid solution (800 to 503 °C), and/or with γ (762 to 579 °C). In geological processes such as the formation of Ni-Cu ore deposits, pentlandite can crystallize as the high form from liquid (sulfide magma) by peritectic and eutectic reactions at comparatively high temperatures from 870 to 739 °C (Fe–Ni–S system). Pentlandite is also produced by the breakdown of the high form at the pseudoeutectoid (or ternary eutectoid). Pentlandite can further be formed by exsolution from monosulfide solid-solution below 600 °C, and from the ternary β 1 phase.