Microstructural and Hardness Evaluations of a Centrifuged Sn-22Pb Casting Alloy Compared with a Lead-Free SnAg Alloy

A great preoccupation with replacing the traditional Sn-Pb alloy with a Pb-free alloy (“green alloy”) is recognized. There are industrial sectors that demand metallurgical improvements to attain certain unsoundness and adequate properties as a function of imposed operational parameters. In this experimental investigation, two distinctive centrifuged casting alloys (i.e., Sn-2 wt pct Ag and Sn-22 wt pct Pb) are compared. It is found that centrifuged castings have similar microstructure constituents, although distinctive cooling rates and solute contents are considered. It is also found that Ag₃Sn intermetallic particles are responsible for attaining similar tensile strength, since more dislocations between Ag₃Sn particles and the Sn-rich phase are provided. In order to replace the Sn-Pb alloys with a successor alloy containing sustainability and environmental aspects associated with castability and to guarantee the desired properties, it seems that a green alloy (Pb free) with intermetallic particles finely and homogeneously distributed provides an interesting benefit to various industrial applications.