Effect of strain rate on the tensile properties of Sn-9Zn eutectic alloy

Tensile experiments of Sn-9Zn eutectic alloy at room temperature and different strain rates revealed that there is a quite wide zone without work hardening in the tensile curve, and the ultimate tensile stress (UTS) of the alloy is dependent on the strain rate. With increasing of the strain rate, UTS of the alloy is increased. The sensitivity exponent of the strain rate obtained is 0.097 by the linear fitting of the strain rate and UTS, while the elongation of the alloy is independent on the strain rate. SEM observations showed that in the case of low strain rate, the fracture mode of the solder alloy is typical ductile, but there is a tendency from ductile to brittle fracture with increasing the strain rate.