Microstructure and properties of Cu-10 wt% Al bronze obtained by high-energy mechanical milling and spark plasma sintering

Abstract

A fabrication route of Cu-10 wt% Al bronze via high-energy mechanical milling and spark plasma sintering (SPS) is proposed. SPS of the ball-milled powder at 700–800 °C allows obtaining single-phase Cu(Al) solid solution. Vickers hardness measurements and mechanical tests in compression were conducted on the sintered alloys. The electrical conductivity of the alloys was measured by the eddy current method. The alloy sintered at 800 °C shows an attractive set of properties: a hardness of 280 HV1, a proof stress of 760 MPa, a compressive strength of 960 MPa, a deformation at fracture of 5%, and an electrical conductivity of 15% of the International Annealed Copper Standard.