Study of the structural and mechanical properties of Sn–8.6 wt.% Zn alloys using creep measurements

A binary Sn–8.6 wt.% Zn alloy and tertiary alloy containing Cu of different content from 0.5 to 2 wt.% were prepared from high purity elements. Addition of Zn decreased the crystallite size of Sn matrix while Cu increased it. The lattice strain of Sn decreased for both alloys. Different degrees of pretorsional deformation were given to samples tested by creep. Increasing twisting predeformation increased the stored energy and the creation of vacancies which facilitate cross-slip due to the elimination of jogs and softening of the sample dominates. The creep parameters n, β  , έsέs and the ratio γ were obtained. The irregular variations of the measured parameters involve repeated hardening and recovery states depending on the mode of interaction of Zn in SnZn alloy and Cu in SnZnCu alloy. The X-ray and DTA analysis support the variations of the creep parameters.