Thermal analysis of selected Sn-Ag-Cu alloys

Abstract

The phase transitions proceeding during melting of selected Sn-Ag-Cu alloys were determined by means of the DSC technique. Twelve compositions were studied along two cross-sections with silver to copper molar ratios X(Ag)/X(Cu) = 1 and 7/3 and tin concentration from 0.4 to 0.9 mol fraction. The transition temperatures were calculated using Pandat software package and thermodynamic parameters from the SOLDERS database. The experimental results were compared with both available literature data and calculation results, and a good agreement was observed. Deconvolution of DSC complex curves was performed using PeakFit v.4.12 software package. Eutectic mixture mass fractions involved in the eutectic transformation were determined. The obtained results were compared with the data calculated using thermodynamic parameters and good agreement was achieved in the case of alloys of higher content of Sn. The discrepancy was found in the case of alloys with lower Sn content where initial structure of the samples subjected to DCS analysis was partly a result of the occurrence of peritectic transformation. © 2012 The Author(s).