Determination of solid-liquid interfacial energy of Ni3Sn2 phase by grain boundary groove method in a temperature gradient

The Ni3Sn2 phase plays an important role in numerous fields including solder alloys and lithium storage. However, the precise measurements of many parameters which are essential in describing the physical properties of this phase, such the Gibbs-Thomson coefficient, solid-liquid interfacial energy, grain boundary energy and entropy of fusion per unit volume have not been carried out yet. In this work, the equilibrated grain boundary groove (GBG) shapes for a solid Ni3Sn2 phase in equilibrium with the liquid were observed from Sn-36 at.%Ni peritectic alloy in a linear temperature gradient by using a Bridgman type directional solidification apparatus after experiencing a thermal stabilization time of 8 h. The time required to obtain the GBG shapes in this alloy with a large freezing range was analyzed through the temperature gradient zone melting (TGZM) theory. The Gibbs-Thomson coefficient, solid-liquid interfacial energy and grain boundary energy for the solid Ni3Sn2 phase in equilibrium with liquid were determined in this work, which will help the growth and property control of the fields mentioned above.(C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.