Correlation between Zn-Rich Phase and corrosion/oxidation behavior of Sn-8Zn-3Bi alloy

The microstructure of Sn-8Zn-3Bi alloy was refined by increasing the solidification rate and the correlation between Zn-rich phase and the corrosion/oxidation behavior of the alloy was investigated. The Zn-rich phase transforms from coarse flakes to fine needles dispersed in the β-Sn matrix with the increase of the cooling rate. The transformation of Zn-rich precipitates enhances the anticorrosive ability of Sn-8Zn-3Bi alloy in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. On the contrary, Sn-8Zn-3Bi alloy with a fine needle-like Zn-rich phase shows poor oxidation resistance under air atmosphere, due to the fast diffusion of Zn atoms in Sn matrix.