LAUSR

Phase relations in the Ga-Ge-Sb ternary system were investigated experimentally, using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Nine ternary samples were prepared by melting of pure elements under an argon atmosphere. The compositions of the prepared alloys were situated along three cross sections with the molar ratios Ga:Ge = 1, Ga:Sb = 1 and Ge:Sb = 1. Phase transition temperatures of the investigated samples were determined using DSC. The microstructure of the samples was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope with EDS and co-existing phases were identified. Binary thermodynamic data from literature, successfully used for phase diagram calculations of binary Ga-Ge, Ga-Sb and Ge-Sb systems, were used for the prediction of phase equilibria in the ternary Ga-Ge-Sb system. The activities of Ga in the liquid phase were calculated using the Redlich–Kister–Muggianu model and compared with experimental data reported in the literature. The liquidus projection, invariant equilibria and three vertical sections of the Ga-Ge-Sb ternary system were calculated and compared with the experimental results and a good agreement was observed.