The Pb Sn Phase Diagram

Dendritic -Pb face-centered cubic

dendrites of cast pure lead, Pollacks
reagent, DIC
Cast Pb 20% Sn, as-polished: -Pb
dendrites (white) and -Pb - -Sn eutectic
(dark)
Pb 30% Sn, as-polished; -Pb dendrites
and an -Pb/-Sn eutectic
Pb 40% Sn, Pollacks etch; -Pb
dendrites (white) and an -Pb/-Sn
eutectic (magnification bar is 20 m)
Pb 50% Sn, Pollacks etch; dark -Pb
dendrites and a fine -Pb/-Sn eutectic
Pb 60% Sn, Pollacks etch, DIC; near
eutectic microstructure of -Pb and -Sn
Pb 61.9 % Sn eutectic, as above but
DIC; -Pb/-Sn eutectic
Pb-70% Sn, Pollacks etch, polarized
light; primary -Sn dendrites (with
twins) and the -Pb/-Sn eutectic
Pb 80% Sn, Pollacks etch; note the
mechanical twins in -Sn dendrites and
the -Pb/-Sn eutectic
Pb 90% Sn, as polished, polarized light; B-
Sn dendrites with mechanical twins and an
-Pb and -Sn eutectic
Pure Sn, as-polished, polarized light;
twinned -Sn (tetragonal) grains
Cast Pb 10% Sn; fine precipitates of -Sn
in a -Pb matrix; Pollacks reagent
Pb-61.9 % Sn, slow cool, 2% nital etch, BF;
-Pb/-Sn eutectic matrix
Surface Abrasive Size
Load
lb. (N)
Platen Speed**
(rpm)

Time (min.)
CarbiMet Paper 240-grit SiC* 4 (18)
240
1
CarbiMet Paper 320-grit SiC* 4 (18) 240 1
CarbiMet Paper 400-grit SiC* 4 (18) 240 1
CarbiMet Paper 600-grit SiC* 4 (18) 240 1
MicroCloth pad 5-m Al
2
O
3
4 (18) 150 7
MicroCloth pad 1-m Al
2
O
3
4 (18) 150 5
MicroCloth pad 0.3-m Al
2
O
3
4 (18) 150 4
MicroCloth pad
0.05-m MasterPrep
Alumina
4 (18) 150 3
MicroCloth pad
0.05-m MasterMet
Colloidal Silica
- VibroMet 2 60
The binary Pb-Sn phase diagram has been studied for over 100 years and is a classic eutectic. Lead (Pb) has an atomic number of 82 and a high
density. Its crystal structure is face-centered cubic (fcc). At 50 C, 2% Sn is soluble in Pb and at the eutectic temperature, 183 C, the maximum
solubility of Sn in -Pb is 19%. The melting point of pure Pb is 327.46 C. Tin (Sn) has an atomic number of 50 and exists in the form at room
temperature. -Sn has a tetragonal crystal structure. At room temperature, there is almost no solubility of Pb in Sn and at the eutectic
temperature, 183 C, there is a maximum solubility of 2.5% Pb in -Sn. The eutectic reaction, L -Pb + -Sn, occurs at 61.9% Sn and at 183 C.
The shape of the eutectic Pb constituent varies from lamellar to spheroidal with Sn as the continuous phase, as shown in the examples below.
High-purity Pb and Sn are very difficult metallographic subjects and the alloys of Pb and Sn are somewhat easier to prepare, but still rather
difficult. The above table lists our preferred preparation procedure. Vibratory polishing is essential for best results. Pollacks reagent (100 mL water,
10 g citric acid, 10 g ammonium molybdate) is one of the best etchants for Pb and Pb-Sn alloys; 2% nital is a good etch for pure tin.
*Coat the SiC paper with paraffin wax; use water as a coolant
** Use contra rotation and a low head speed for best results
Reprinted with permission of ASM International All rights reserved.
www.asminternational.org
Pb 60% Sn, Pollacks etch, BF; near
eutectic microstructure of -Pb and -Sn,
200x (20 m magnification bar)
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