The equilibrium diagram of the system silver-zinc

Abstract

The equilibrium diagram of the system silver-zinc has been investigated by thermal, microscopic, and X-ray methods. This has enabled the following points to be established: (1) The depression of the freezing-point of silver by zinc is slightly greater than that produced by equal atomic percentages of indium. This does not confirm the hypothesis of whole-number liquidus factors previously suggested by Hume-Rothery, Mabbott and Channell-Evans (1934). (2) The solidus and liquidus curves for the β -phase do not coincide at 50 atomic % of zinc as was proposed by B. G. Petrenko (1929). The freezing range of the equiatomic alloy is approximately 3 1/2 °. (3) The determination of phase boundaries by X-ray methods with quenched filings is unreliable for this class of alloy, and its limitations are discussed.