The preparation and solidification of metallic droplets attract more and more attention for their signifi cance in both engineering and scientifi c fi elds. In this paper, the preparation and characterization of Snbased alloy droplets using different methods such as atomization and consumable electrode direct current arc(CDCA) technique are reviewed. The morphology and structure of these droplets were determined by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). The solidifi cation behavior of single droplet was systematically studied by means of scanning calorimetry(DSC), and the nucleation kinetics was also calculated. In particular, the development of fast scanning calorimetry(FSC) made it possible to investigate the evolution of undercooling under ultrafast but controllable heating and cooling conditions. The combination of CDCA technique and FSC measurements opens up a new door for quantitative studies on droplet solidifi cation, which is accessible to demonstrate some theories by experiments. The preparation and solidification of metallic droplets attract more and more attention for their signifi cance in both engineering and scientifi c fi elds. In this paper, the preparation and characterization of Snbased alloy droplets using different methods such as atomization and consumable electrode direct current arc ( The morphology and structure of these droplets were determined by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The solidifi cation behavior of single droplet was systematically studied by means of scanning calorimetry DSC), and the nucleation kinetics was also calculated. In particular, the development of fast scanning calorimetry (FSC) made it possible to investigate the evolution of undercooling under ultrafast but controllable heating and cooling conditions. The combination of CDCA technique and FSC measurements up a new door for quantitative studies on droplet solidifi cation, which is accessib le to demonstrate some theories by experiments.