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Experimental Thermodynamics and Surface Properties of Ag-Cu-Ge Solder/Braze Alloys

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Abstract

Ag-based alloys have industrial importance in relation to their use as high-temperature solders in jewellery or braze alloys for thermoelectric modules. Good wetting properties and a tarnish-resistance of Ag-Ge and Ag-Cu-Ge alloys together with appropriate mechanical properties make them good candidates for bonding sterling silver (Ag-7.5Cu, in wt.%). The melting temperature and the heat of melting of Ag-Cu, Ag-Ge and Ag-Cu-Ge eutectic alloys have been measured by differential scanning calorimetry. From a technological point of view, particular attention should be paid to the surface tension, a key property of the joining processes. The aim of this study is to correlate the thermodynamic properties of the Ag-Cu-Ge system and its subsystems with their surface properties and to compare the model predicted property values to the data available in the literature.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Genoa University and Genoa Research Unit of INSTM, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146, Genoa, Italy

    Simona Delsante & Gabriella Borzone

  2. Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry and Energy Technologies, National Research Council (ICMATE-CNR), Via de Marini 6, 16149, Genoa, Italy

    Simona Delsante, Gabriella Borzone & Rada Novakovic

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This invited article is part of a special issue of the Journal of Phase Equilibria and Diffusion in honor of Prof. Jan Vrestal’s 80th birthday. This special issue was organized by Prof. Andrew Watson, Coventry University, and Dr. Ales Kroupa, Institute of Physics of Materials, Brno, Czech Republic.

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Delsante, S., Borzone, G. & Novakovic, R. Experimental Thermodynamics and Surface Properties of Ag-Cu-Ge Solder/Braze Alloys. J. Phase Equilib. Diffus. 40, 115–125 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11669-019-00709-z

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