| Abstract: | In the present paper, the influence of 1, 3, 5 and 10 % Bi (weight %) as ternary additions on structure, melting and mechanical properties of rapidly solidified Sn‐3.5Ag alloy has been investigated. The effect of Bi was discussed based on the experimental results. The experimental results showed that the alloys of Sn‐3.5Ag, Sn‐3.5Ag‐1Bi and Sn‐3.5Ag‐3Bi are composed of two phases; Ag3Sn IMC embedded in Sn matrix phase, which indicated that the solubility of Bi phase in Sn‐matrix was extended to 3 % as a result of rapid solidification. Bi precipitation in Sn matrix was only observed in Sn‐3.5Ag‐5Bi and Sn‐3.5Ag‐10Bi alloys. Also, addition of Bi decreased continuously the melting point of the eutectic Sn‐3.5Ag alloy to 202.6 °C at 10 % Bi. Vickers hardness of Sn‐3.5Ag rapidly solidified alloy increased with increasing Bi content up to 3 % due to supersaturated solid solution strengthening hardening mechanism of Bi phase in Sn matrix, while the alloys contain 5 and 10 % Bi exhibited lower values of Vickers hardness. The lower values can be attributed to the precipitation of Bi as a secondary phase which may form strained regions due to the embrittlement of Bi atom. In addition, the effect of Bi addition on the micro‐creep behavior of Sn‐3.5Ag alloy as well as the creep rate have been described and has been calculated at room temperature. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) |
