Abstract:Ag-Sn-Cu-Bi-Ni alloy was internally oxidized in air. The phase constitution, surface morphology and microstructure evolution of the alloy after internal oxidation were analyzed by X-ray diffractometry, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results show that the surface color of samples after internal oxidation is different from the different oxidation time and temperatures. The oxidation reaction firstly takes place on the grain boundaries. The microstructure developed on the initial stage of internal oxidation is fir-tree crystal texture. However, this texture structure disappears accompanied by grain growth and oxides forming during the prolonged oxidation. Finally, the oxide particles are uniformly dispersed in the silver matrix.

Key words: Ag-Sn-Cu-Bi-Ni alloy; surface morphology; microstructure; internal oxidation