A model for the nucleation and growth of Sn whiskers was proposed. A high density of localized screw dislocations formed by deformation formed the dense spiral atomic-scale steps on the Sn surface. The spiral steps induced the nucleation of Sn whiskers. Edge dislocations, localized in the same region where dense screw dislocations existed, supplied Sn atoms to the Sn whisker via pipe diffusion. Both screw and edge dislocations bent along essentially one direction in order to relax the external shear stress. The image force also helped to bend the dislocations perpendicularly to the whisker side-surface. The bending of dislocations at the root of the whisker led to bending of the whisker. The pipe diffusion of Sn atoms through edge dislocations, from the bulk Sn and towards the whisker, was suppressed at the bent part of edge dislocation; resulting in the release of Sn atoms within the whisker and leading to the growth of the whisker near to its root.A Model for Nucleation of Tin Whisker through Dislocation Behaviour. K.Nakai, T.Sakamoto, S.Kobayashi, M.Takamizawa, K.Murakami, M.Hino: Journal of Physics - Conference Series, 2009, 165[1], 012089 (4pp)