Rapid oxidation of liquid tin and its alloys at 600 to 800 degrees C

The behavior of liquid tin and its alloys in oxygen at temperature range 60 0 to 800 degrees C were investigated. Rapid and nearly linear reaction kine tics were observed for pure tin at temperature higher than 700 degrees C. M arker experiments, which determine the mode of mass transport through the s cale, and wetting phenomena between the oxide and melts were studied to del ineate the reaction mechanism of oxide growth. Moreover, the rates of oxida tion of tin were markedly changed by alloying it with small amount of forei gn elements, Significantly increased oxidation rates for binary tin alloys containing Mg, Ba, La or Ca were observed. TEM studies indicated that addit ional growth stresses were introduced into the SnO2 scales by these additio ns. (C) 1999 Kluwer Academic Publishers.