Internal Oxidation of Silver-Zinc Alloys Containing Several Metals

Abstract

Ag-2∼12 at%Zn alloys containing a small amount of several metals such as 1∼3 at%Sn, 1∼4 at%In, 0.1∼1 at%Te, 0.5∼3 at%Cu and 0.5 at%Li were internally oxidized in air, and at 1 and 5 atm oxygen pressures at 800 and 850°C. The microstructures in oxidized layers of the alloys were observed using an optical microscope.
(1) The concentration range, in which oxide particles are uniformly dispersed in a silver matrix, has been estimated for internally oxidized Ag-Zn-Te, Ag-Zn-Sn-Te, Ag-Zn-In-Te and Ag-Zn-Sn-In-Te alloys. (2) An addition of Te disperses oxide particles uniformly, leading to a wide concentration range in which the internal oxidation proceeds. (3) A replacement of Te by Cu or Li has a similar effect on the dispersion of oxide particles as the addition of Te. (4) An addition of Sn results in a fine oxide particle size.