The Mechanical Properties and Elastic Anisotropy of η’-Cu6Sn5 and Cu3Sn Intermetallic Compounds

Full intermetallic compound (IMC) solder joints present fascinating advantages in high-temperature applications. In this study, the mechanical properties and elastic anisotropy of η’-Cu6Sn5 and Cu3Sn intermetallic compounds were investigated using first-principles calculations. The values of single-crystal elastic constants, the elastic (E), shear (G), and bulk (B) moduli, and Poisson’s ratio (ν) were identified. In addition, the two values of G/B and ν indicated that the two IMCs were ductile materials. The elastic anisotropy of η’-Cu6Sn5 was found to be higher than Cu3Sn by calculating the universal anisotropic index. Furthermore, an interesting discovery was that the above two types of monocrystalline IMC exhibited mechanical anisotropic behavior. Specifically, the anisotropic degree of E and B complied with the following relationship: η’-Cu6Sn5 > Cu3Sn; however, the relationship was Cu3Sn > η’-Cu6Sn5 for the G. It is noted that the anisotropic degree of E and G was similar for the two IMCs. In addition, the anisotropy of the B was higher than the G and E, respectively, for η’-Cu6Sn5; however, in the case of Cu3Sn, the anisotropic degree of B, G, and E was similar.