Effect of Zinc Content on the Microstructure, Thermal Behavior, and Static Mechanical Properties of Sn-xZn Alloys Containing Mixed Trace Rare Earth Elements

Abstract

The microstructure, thermal behavior, and mechanical properties of Sn-xZn-0.1RE (x = 5, 10, 20, and 30 wt%) alloys containing mixed trace rare earth elements were investigated in this study. The results showed that the alloys had the same solidus temperature of about 199 °C. Zinc content higher than 10% enhanced slightly the eutectic temperatures and enlarged the eutectic temperature range of the alloys. The microstructures of most of the alloys exhibited Zn-rich coarse clusters, but not for Sn-5Zn-0.1RE. The tensile strength of the alloys increased with increasing zinc concentration.