Thermodynamic study of Ag-Au-Gd, Tb ternary systems

The addition of the rare earth elements into the Ag-based filler alloy, which is typical and important, can control and eliminate the negative effect of impurity elements, and furthermore, it improves the spreading property of the Ag-based filler alloy. Phase diagram provides an important direction for materials design of the Ag-based filler alloy. Thus it is necessary to investigate the phase diagrams and construct the thermodynamic database. On the basis of this background, thermodynamic assessments of the Au-Gd, Tb binary systems were carried out by using the CALPHAD (Calculation of Phase Diagrams) method based on the experimental data including thermodynamic properties and phase equilibrium. The Gibbs free energies of the solution phases were described by sub-regular solution models with the Redlich-Kister equation, while all of the intermetallic compounds were described by sub-lattice models. A consistent set of thermodynamic parameters was derived from describing the Gibbs free energies of each solution phase and intermetallic compound. The calculated phase diagram achieved consistency with the available experiments. Then combined with the assessed relevant binary systems, the Ag-Au-Gd, Tb ternary systems have been predicted. The thermodynamic database of these ternary systems has been developed to present the significant information for the design of Ag-based filler alloys.