Phase equilibria in the Sm–Al–Si system at 500 °C

The isothermal section at 500 °C of the Sm–Al–Si system has been experimentally investigated by using scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis and X-ray powder diffraction. Four intermetallic compounds have been confirmed: τ₁-SmAl₂Si₂ (hP5-CaAl₂Si₂ type), τ₂-SmAl_xSi_1?x (tI12-Th₂Si type), τ₄-SmAl_0.5Si_0.5 (oS8-CrB type) and τ₅-Sm₆Al₃Si (tI80-Tb₆Al₃Si type). A new ternary intermediate has been found: τ₃-Sm₄Al₃Si₃ that crystallizes orthorhombic isostructural with Pr₄Al₃Ge₃.