A Study of the Kinetics and Energetics of Solid State Reactions in Pd/Sn Diffusion Couples
ABSTRACTUsing differential scanning calorimetry, supplemented by measurements from scanning electron microscopy images, we have investigated solid state reactions in Pd/Sn multilayer composites to form PdSn4 and PdSn3. Planar diffusion couples of Pd and Sn were prepared by means of mechanical co-deformation in a rolling mill. A phase formation sequence was determined using differential scanning calorimetry and x-ray diffraction. Growth of the PdSru phase was studied from room temperature to the melting point of Sn. For temperatures between 430 and 460K diffusion limited growth of PdSn4 was observed. From heat flow data over this limited temperature range, the form of the reaction constant was found to be k2 −k0 exp(−Ea / kbT), where k0= 0.16 cm2/s and Εn= 0.8 eV/atom. Also determined was a heat of formation, ΔHf = −27±1 kJ/mol for PdSn4 from Pd and Sn.