The solubility of tin in α and β zirkonium below 10000C

The zirconium-rich region of the Zr-Sn system below 10000C was studied by scanning electron microscopy, electrical resistivity, electron microanalysis and optical microscopy. We used four alloys with the following compositions: 0.5, 2.3, 3.3 and 7.6 at.% Sn, produced from Zr of 99.99% purity. From the experimental observations we obtain the α/(α+β) and α/(α+Zr4Sn) boundaries, while the (α+β)/β boundary was calculated applying the van't Hoff relation. The influence of iron and oxygen impurities on the (α+β) field was evaluated. A composition slightly different from the stoichiometric value was found for the Zr4Sn intermediate phase at 9500C. (orig.)