Thermodynamic Re-assessment of the Ag–Ni–Sn system

The ternary Ag–Ni–Sn and the constituent binary Ag–Sn and Ni–Sn systems were critically re-assessed considering the available experimental data based on the CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagram) method. Thermodynamic descriptions of both Ag–Sn and Ni–Sn systems were obviously improved in comparison with the previous reports, especially in the heat capacity of Ag3Sn and enthalpy of mixing of Ag–Sn liquid, as well as the homogeneity range of Ni3Sn4 and the temperature dependent enthalpy of mixing of Ni–Sn liquid. Based on the updated thermodynamic description for the binary systems, a set of self-consistent thermodynamic parameters for the Ag–Ni–Sn system was then obtained. Comprehensive comparisons between the calculated results and experimental data on thermodynamic properties, isothermal and vertical sections as well as invariant reactions indicated the reliability and accuracy of the present thermodynamic parameters. Liquidus projection and the scheil reaction scheme of the entire composition range were also presented correspondingly.