Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High Strength Brass Alloy with Some Elements

Abstract

The purpose of this research is the development of a high strength α-β brass (Cu-40Zn) with additions of elements of small solid solubility in brass. Cu-40Zn with 0.6 wt.% Tin (Sn), 0.73 wt.% Chromium (Cr) and 0.51 wt.% Iron (Fe) were prepared by casting (Cu-40Zn-CrFeSn). The yield stress (YS) and ultimate tensile stress (UTS) of extruded Cu-40Zn-CrFeSn was 291 MPa and 601 MPa, 23 % and 36 % higher than that of extruded binary Cu-40Zn alloy. Vickers micro hardness of 158 Hv was higher than that of extruded Cu-40Zn alloy (131 Hv). In addition, the elongation of extruded Cu-40Zn-CrFeSn was 35 %. The strengthening mechanisms of these alloys were considered as follows; one was a solid solution strengthening of Cr, Fe and Sn additives which were identified by SEM-EDS. The other was increasing of the area ratio of β-phase in Cu-40Zn-CrFeSn, compared to that of Cu-40Zn.