The experimental phase equilibria studies of the Cu-Sb-S system

The Cu-Sb-S system describes the chemistry of energy storage devices, electronic components, low- and high-grade minerals, etc. The phase equilibria in the Cu-Sb, Sb-S, and Cu-Sb-S systems were experimentally studied using differential thermal analysis and electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA). Sealed bulk mixtures were equilibrated at designated temperatures and quenched in a brine. The quenched samples were then directly analyzed using EPMA. Liquidus projection, isotherms, primary phase fields, twelve invariant reactions (including syntectic, monotectic, quasi-peritectic, and eutectic types), and seven saddle points were identified. The phases identified included matte, liquid metal, S-rich liquid, FCC-Cu, digenite, Cu 17 Sb 3 , Cu 4 Sb, Cu 10 Sb 3 , Me 3 X, Cu 3 Sb, Cu 2 Sb, Sb, Sb 2 S 3 , Cu 3 SbS 3 , CuSbS 2 , and Cu 3 SbS 4 . For the first time, the sulfur-rich liquid has been quantitatively analyzed in equilibrium with another phase. It was found that Cu 3 SbS 3 and Cu 3 SbS 4 are incongruently melting phases, while CuSbS 2 is a congruently melting ternary compound at 560℃. The solid solution behavior of ternary phases and the Sb dissolution in digenite in equilibrium with liquid phases were examined. The distribution of antimony between matte and liquid metal and the Cu 2 S-Sb 2 S 3 quasi-binary system were also studied. This work enhances the prediction capability of the thermodynamic database implemented in FactSage software for the description of the Cu-Fe-Sb-Sn-Ni-S-As system. It is a part of the 20-component system, related to metallurgy of copper, lead, zinc, and other nonferrous metals. • Studied liquidus and solidus projections of the Sb-S, Cu-Sb, and Cu-Sb-S systems. • Contains Cu 3 SbS 3 , CuSbS 2 , and Cu 3 SbS 4 ternary phases at the projection. • First time quantitatively measured the S-rich matte with another phase. • Determined the invariant reactions and temperature maxima. • Studied the distribution of Sb between 2-liquids and the Cu 2 S-Sb 2 S 3 quasi-binary.