Mechanical properties of Cu6Sn5 intermetallic by micropillar compression testing

The micromechanical behavior of single-crystal Cu6Sn5 was studied by microcompression testing of pillars. The pillars were fabricated by focused ion beam milling and tested using a nanoindenter with a flat tip. The stress–strain behavior and fractographic analysis show that Cu6Sn5 deforms elastically and undergoes cleavage, resulting in fracture. The strain bursts on stress–strain curves correspond to cleavage on various planes. The fracture stress calculated using the area at the top of pillars was independent of taper angle.