The effect of tin on the susceptibility of a Cu–Al alloy to cracking in mercury

The addition of 2wt.%Sn to a Cu–4.5wt.%Al alloy is shown to increase the susceptibility to embrittlement by liquid mercury. The Cu–Al–Sn alloy is more susceptible in the slowly cooled condition than in the solution-treated and quenched condition. This would be consistent with the idea that tin tends to segregate to grain boundaries in this alloy and to enhance their decohesion in mercury.