Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 July 2018
The system Pd-Fe-Ni-S was studied at 900 and 725°C by means of dry condensed charges. At both temperatures it is dominated by the phase relationships involving sulphide melt. Pd-Fe-Ni alloys with broad miscibility primarily coexist with the melt; they are relatively enriched in Pd, whereas the associated melt is enriched in Ni. With decreasing temperature the melt recedes from Fe-rich regions. The incompatibility of PdS (extensive solid solution with Ni) and mss at 900°C is replaced by their co-crystallization (± disulphide(s) of Ni,Fe or ± sulphide melt) at 725°C The Ni/Fe ratio in the melt changes regularly against that in mss with increasing S fugacity and Pd contents in these two phases. (Ni,Fe)3±xS2 and Pd4S play important roles at 725°C. The data offer an array of distribution coefficients and solubility values suitable for geological interpretations.