Title :

In Situ SEM Observations of the Liquid Metal Embrittlement of α-Brasses in Contact with the Liquid Ga-In Eutectic at RoomTemperature

Author(s) :

Ezequiel, Marco [Auteur]
Unité Matériaux et Transformations (UMET) - UMR 8207
Proriol Serre, Ingrid [Auteur]
Unité Matériaux et Transformations (UMET) - UMR 8207
Fadel, Alexandre [Auteur]
Institut Michel Eugène Chevreul - FR 2638 [IMEC]

Journal title :

Metals

Publication date :

2025

HAL domain(s) :

Chimie/Matériaux
Physique [physics]/Matière Condensée [cond-mat]/Science des matériaux [cond-mat.mtrl-sci]

English abstract : [en]

Liquid metal embrittlement (LME) occurs when a normally ductile alloy undergoes brittle fracture in contact with a liquid metal. The mechanisms behind LME remain un-clear, and most of the models rely on post mortem analyses. ...
Show more >Liquid metal embrittlement (LME) occurs when a normally ductile alloy undergoes brittle fracture in contact with a liquid metal. The mechanisms behind LME remain un-clear, and most of the models rely on post mortem analyses. In this work, we overcome this limitation by performing in situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) notched mi-cro-bending tests on α-brasses exposed to the gallium–indium eutectic (EGaIn) at room temperature, enabling real-time correlation between load–displacement curves and crack evolution during LME. In the Cu-30%Zn alloy, LME was observed only after prior plastic deformation and ductile crack growth, confirming that liquid metal did not in-fluence early plasticity. A two-step experiment further showed that a pre-existing crack in contact with EGaIn, under continued loading, was sufficient to trigger brittle fracture. The Cu-20%Zn alloy displayed alternating ductile and brittle events, with brittle cracks propagating horizontally before arresting in undeformed zones, leading to stepped load–displacement curves. By contrast, pure Cu and Cu-15%Zn showed only ductile fracture despite continuous contact with EGaIn. These results demonstrate that LME in the Cu-Zn/EGaIn system acts during crack propagation rather than initiation. The pre-sent in situ SEM methodology provides direct evidence of fracture mechanisms and a framework for future experimental modeling comparisons.Show less >

Language :

Anglais

Peer reviewed article :

Oui

Audience :

Internationale

Popular science :

Non

ANR Project :

Fragilisation par les métaux liquides : phénomènes et prédiction – appliquée au système alliages de Cuivre / Ga-In

Administrative institution(s) :

Université de Lille
CNRS
INRAE
ENSCL

Collections :

• Unité Matériaux et Transformations (UMET) - UMR 8207

Research team(s) :

Métallurgie Physique et Génie des Matériaux

Submission date :

2025-10-28T21:08:50Z
2025-10-29T06:35:32Z