Creep and constant-speed compression of a fine-grained SnPb eutectic alloy

Abstract

The deformation kinetics of fine-grained (4.6 μm) samples of Sn-38.1wt.%Pb at 313 K displayed a sigmoidal stress dependence. Below 0.6 MPa (region I) the stress exponent n was 3.1; between 0.6 and 10 MPa (region II), n was 1.6; above 10 MPa (region III), n was 3.0. The activation energy of region II creep was 49 kJ mol −1, which compares with that of diffusion along grain boundaries or interphase boundaries. In region II the grain size exponent of the steady creep rate was 3.0. A decelerating primary stage of creep occurred in region I and in much of region II.