Abstract
The addition of 8vol.%Al_2O_3 particles in the Sn-50mass%Zn was carried out for the control of electrical and thermal properties, for Pb-free fuse elements used in electric power line. The metal matrix composites of the Sn-50Zn alloy and Al_2O_3 particles having the different densities and melting points, and the control of Al_2O_3 particles distribution in the composites, could be produced by the handling at or near the coexisting range of both liquid and solid phases and showed the homogeneous and heterogeneous microstructure of randomly dispersed Al_2O_3 via ingots. The temperature dependence of specific resistivity, thermal conductivity and specific heat was measured to use their values in electrical and thermal calculations in order to obtain the temperature distribution on Pb-free fuse elements. The values on specific resistivity, thermal conductivity and specific heat were determined depending on Al_2O_3 distributed conditions in alloys. Both the melt and un-melt down performance of main requirements for AC-low voltage fuse elements could be satisfied on the Sn-50Zn-8vol.% Al_2O_3 element.
