Past exam of the materials science course of the University of Cambridge / 2019 / Paper 1 / 4 / a

(Bi) and $(\beta \mathrm{Sn})$ are Bi-rich and Sn-rich terminal solid solutions, not intermetallic compounds. At the eutectic composition, cooling through $138{}^{\circ }\mathrm{C}$ givesThe two solids grow together as a fine eutectic microstructure, commonly lamellar or rod-like. Below about $13{}^{\circ }\mathrm{C}$, the tin-rich component has an equilibrium tendency to transform from metallic tetragonal white tin to diamond-cubic grey tin, with a substantial volume increase. This is tin pest, which can disrupt the microstructure mechanically. The dashed transition does not transform the Bi-rich phase into tin. Actual transformation can be slow and depend strongly on impurities and nucleation; crossing the line does not guarantee immediate disintegration.