The 260 °C phase equilibria of the Sn–Sb–Ag ternary system and interfacial reactions at the Sn–Sb/Ag joints

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 458; no. 1; pp. 436 - 445
• Main Authors: Lee, Chiapyng, Lin, Chung-Yung, Yen, Yee-Wen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 30.06.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Interfacial reactions; Materials science; Phase diagrams and microstructures developed by solidification and solid-solid phase transformations; Phase diagrams of metals and alloys; Phase equilibria; Physics; Regions of mutual solubility; Sn–Sb/Ag couples; Sn–Sb–Ag system; Sn–Sb/Ag couples; Phase equilibria; Sn–Sb–Ag system; Regions of mutual solubility; Interfacial reactions; Phase diagrams; Ternary systems; Solubility; Antimony; Silver; Sn-Sb/Ag couples; Isothermal section; Tin; Interface reaction; Solubility limit; Sn-Sb-Ag system
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2007.04.002

The isothermal section of the Sn–Sb–Ag ternary system at 260 °C has been determined in this study by experimental examination. Experimental results show no existence of ternary compounds in the Sn–Sb–Ag system. Two extensive regions of mutual solubility have been determined. The one located between the two binary isomorphous phases, Ag 3Sn and Ag 3Sb, is labeled as ɛ and the other one located between the two binary isomorphous phases, Ag 4Sn and Ag 4Sb, is labeled as ξ. The ɛ phase is a very stable phase and is in equilibrium with ξ, Sb, SbSn, Sb 2Sn 3, and liquid Sn phases. Each of the Sb and SbSn phases has a limited solubility of Ag. Only one stoichiometric compound, Sb 2Sn 3, exists. Besides phase equilibria determination, the interfacial reactions between the Sn–Sb alloys and the Ag substrate were investigated at 260 °C. It was found that the phase formations in the Sn–Sb/Ag couples are very similar to those in the Sn/Ag couples.