Structure and properties of rapidly solidified foils of alloys of Sn-Zn-Bi system

Studies of microstructure, grain structure, texture, and microhardness of triple alloys of the Sn-Zn-Bi system obtained at different cooling rates are performed. It is established that a higher cooling rate results in the refinement of the grain structure of all alloys and reduction of the average size of inclusions. On the basis of a comparative analysis of results and published data, the mechanism of microstructure formation both in rapidly solidified foils and in massive samples is proposed. It is established as a result of study of aging of rapidly solidified foils that coalescence of zinc and bismuth inclusions is controlled by diffusion along grain boundaries. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2010.