The Cu–Sn System: A Comprehensive Review of the Crystal Structures of its Stable and Metastable Phases

Abstract

The present works assesses the knowledge concerning the crystal structures of phases in the Cu–Sn system having their high relevance due to their occurrence in bronze alloys and soldered systems. The crystal structures of the terminal solid solution phases α-Cu and β-Sn and of the stable main intermediate phases β, γ, ε-Cu₃Sn, δ-Cu₄₁Sn₁₁, ζ-Cu₁₀Sn₃, η-Cu₆Sn₅ and η′-Cu₆Sn₅ and some metastable phases appear to be well established in the literature, but details can be intriguing. This paper attempts to review apparently or truly contradictory structure models derived from experimental diffraction data for the different phases, revealing limiting knowledge in some cases. These results are also analyzed regarding the results of first-principles calculations making use of various model structures. The review is also used to highlight exemplarily problems, which can be experienced upon widespread, “routine” means of phase identification, in particular x-ray diffraction (on polycrystalline specimens) and electron backscatter diffraction.