Phase equilibria in the aluminium-rich side of the Al–Zr system

The Al-rich phase equilibria in the Al–Zr binary system were investigated experimentally. The phase diagram for compositions up to 40 at.% Zr was determined experimentally by differential thermal analysis and metallography. Three stable intermetallic compounds exist in this region of the diagram: Al3Zr2, Al2Zr, and Al3Zr. The peritectic melting of Al3Zr2 and the congruent melting of Al2Zr were confirmed. Al3Zr, the most Al-rich intermetallic compound, melts peritectically, which contradicts information available in the literature. In addition, the reaction between Al3Zr and the (Al) solid solution seems to be of eutectic nature, in contradiction with previous results found in the literature. Based on these new experimental evidence, a revised phase diagram is drawn.