Ni5‐δSn4Zn (δ ∼ 0.25) from single‐crystal data

Work on the ternary Ni–Sn–Zn phase diagram revealed the existence of the title compound pentanickel tetratin zinc, Ni_3.17Sn_2.67Zn_0.67 Schmetterer et al. (2012). Intermetallics, doi:10.1016/j.intermet.2011.05.025]. It crystallizes in the Ni₅Ga₃Ge₂ structure type (orthorhombic, Cmcm) and is related to the InNi₂ type (hexagonal, P6₃/mmc) of the neighbouring Ni₃Sn₂ high‐temperature (HT) phase, but is not a superstructure. The crystal structure was determined using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Its homogeneity range was characterized using electron microprobe analysis. Phase analysis at various temperatures indicated that the phase decomposes between 1073 and 1173 K, where a more extended ternary solid solution of the Ni₃Sn₂ HT phase was found instead.