Effect of Antimony Additions on Corrosion and Mechanical Properties of Sn-Bi Eutectic Lead-Free Solder Alloy

The goal of the present work is to investigate the effects of the addition of Sb (0, 3 and 6 wt%) on structure, melting, corrosion and mechanical properties of Sn-Bi eutectic solder alloys. The mechanical properties of the bulk Sn-Bi-Sb solders were higher as the amount of antimony increases, making compressive strength augment from 65 MPa to 100 MPa when 6 wt% Sb was incorporated to the Sn-Bi eutectic alloy. The three alloys presented a melting temperature that is smaller to the one exhibited by the eutectic alloy Sn-38Pb (Tm = 183 ̊C). According to the electrochemical results, the addition of higher contents of Sb to the Sn-Bi eutectic alloy had a positive effect: it ennobled the Ecorr values.