Study of Microstructure and Thermal Properties of the Low Melting Bi-In-Sn Eutectic Alloys

Abstract

Beside their technological importance in soldering, the low melting eutectic alloys based on bismuth and indium have potential for commercial application in the field of phase-change materials (PCMs). In this respect, the knowledge of their microstructure and thermal properties such as melting temperature, latent heat of melting, supercooling tendency, thermal conductivity, etc. is of large importance. In this study, two ternary eutectic Bi-In-Sn alloys were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Microstructure of the prepared eutectic alloys was analyzed using SEM-EDS and identification of co-existing phases was done. Melting temperatures and latent heats of eutectic melting were measured using DSC technique. Experimentally obtained results were compared with the results of thermodynamic calculation according to CALPHAD (calculation of phase diagram) approach and good mutual agreement was obtained.

Correlation of Thermo-Elastic Material and Corrosion Behavior of Refractory Castables by In-Situ Measurements

“…This behavior might be related to the wetting of the interface between vessel and ice. In order to verify the previous results, we performed additional tests using a eutectic alloy to fill the mold (Figure 3), known as field's metal (with a melting point around 62 °C) [19]. The sample was repeatedly cycled between room temperature and 100 °C with a heating rate of 2 °C/min.…”

Investigation of latent heat of melting and thermal conductivity of the low-melting Bi-Sn-Zn eutectic alloy

“…Melting point Latent heat of fusion Density Specific heat capacity Thermal conductivity [12][13][14]. Their key advantages over other types of non--metallic PCMs are high thermal conductivity and high volumetric latent heat [13,14]. Thermophysical properties such as melting point, latent heat of fusion, specific heat capacity, and thermal conductivity for pure metals can be found in reference literature [15] (Table 1).…”

“…They are also available for many solder alloys [16]. However, these data are still unknown for many low-melting eutectic alloys with potential for usage in the field of thermal energy storage [12][13][14].…”

“…Measurements of melting (eutectic) temperature and latent heat of melting for the investigated Bi-Sn--Zn eutectic alloy were done using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The eutectic temperature was determined from the extrapolated temperature of the peak onset [13,14,23]. Example of DSC heating curve (obtained in the third heating run) for the investigated Bi-Sn-Zn eutectic alloy is given in Fig.…”

“…Measured latent heat of melting (44.1 J g −1 ) is to some extent smaller than related calculated value (54.3 J g −1 ). Recently, melting temperature and latent heat of melting of the ternary Bi-In-Sn eutectic alloys have been investigated by Manasijević et al [13]. By using DSC method under the similar experimental conditions, they have determined melting temperature 76.6 • C and heat of melting 32.6 J g −1 for the 53.8% Bi-27.0% In-19.2% Sn (wt.%) eutectic alloy.…”