Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Diffusion-Controlled Decohesion Using a Cu-Sn Alloy as a Model System

  • Published:
MRS Online Proceedings Library Aims and scope

Abstract

This research deals with a mode of brittle intergranular fracture in which a surface-adsorbed embrittling element is driven into a grain boundary as a result of the application of a tensile stress across the boundary. A Cu-8%Sn alloy has been employed to explore this phenomenon, since tin is a surface-active element, and this alloy is known to suffer intergranular weakness at elevated temperatures. Intergranular cracking occurred by brittle, discontinuous crack advance at 265°C in vacuum with an average rate of 0.1μm/sec. This behavior is analogous to sulfur-induced stress-relief cracking in steels and several cases of liquid-metal embrittlement, suggesting that this phenomenon has a generic nature.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. C. J. McMahon, Jr. in Grain Boundary Chemistry and Intergranular Fracture, edited by G. S. Was and S. M. Brummer (Matls. Sci. Forum 46, Trans Tech Publications, 1989) pp. 61.

    Google Scholar 

  2. R. A. Mulford in Embrittlement of Engineering Alloys, edited by C. L. Briant and S. K. Banerji (Treat. Matls. Sc. Tech. 25, 1983) pp.1.

    Google Scholar 

  3. J. Shin and C.J. McMahon Jr., Acta Metall. 32, 1535 (1984).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. A. P. Druschitz and P. Gordon in Embrittlement by Liquid and Solid Metals, edited by M. H. Kamdar (TMS-AIME, Warrendale, PA 1984) pp. 285.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Y. Liu and R.G. Hoagland, Scripta Metall. 23, 339 (1989).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. T. Watanabe, S. Shima and S. Karashima in Embrittlement by Liquid and Solid Metals, edited by M. H. Kamdar (TMS-AIME, Warrendale, PA 1984) pp. 173.

    Google Scholar 

  7. B. A. Benson and R. G. Hoagland, Scripta Metall. 23, 1943 (1989).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. S. Hoffman and J. Erlewein, Scripta Metall. 10, 857 (1976).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. E. Barrera, M. Menyhard, D. Bika, B. Rothman and C. J. McMahon, Jr., Metall. Trans A, in press.

  10. M. Kanno, N. Shimodaira, T. Ohsako, and H. Suzuki, Trans. Japan Inst, of Metals 28, 73 (1987).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. M. Kanno and N. Shimodaira, Trans, Japan Inst, of Metals 28, 742 (1987).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. D. Bika and C. J. McMahon, unpublished.

  13. J. Kameda and C. J. McMahonJr, Metall. Trans. A, 12A, 31 (1981).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. P. H. Au-Yeung, J. T. Lukowski, L.A. Heldt and C. L. White, Scripta Metall. 24, 95 (1990)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. J. T. Lukowski, D. B. Kasul, L.A. Heldt and C. L. White, Scripta Metall. 24, 1959 (1990).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Aknowledgements

This work has been supported by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences of the Department of Energy under grant no. DE-FG02-87ER45290, a fellowship (to DB) from the American Welding Society, and the Penn NSF-sponsored MRL through its central facilities. The assistance of Dr. A. Radin is greatly appreciated.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Dafni Bika & Charles J. McMahon Jr.

Authors
  1. Dafni Bika
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Charles J. McMahon Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bika, D., McMahon, C.J. Diffusion-Controlled Decohesion Using a Cu-Sn Alloy as a Model System. MRS Online Proceedings Library 238, 399–404 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-238-399

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-238-399

Search

Navigation