TITLE:
Mechanical Properties and Microstructures of Locally Produced Aluminium-Bronze Alloy
AUTHORS:
Uyime Donatus, Joseph Ajibade Omotoyinbo, Itopa Monday Momoh
KEYWORDS:
Aluminium-Bronze; Solution Heat Treatment; Dual-Phase; Cold Deformation
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.11 No.10,
October
31,
2012
ABSTRACT: This work studied the feasibility of producing a dual-phase aluminium bronze alloy and the use of selected treatments to manipulate the mechanical properties of the produced alloy using local techniques, as a potential replacement for con- ventional structural materials, particularly steels. Sand casting was used and was found to be effective based on its ad- vantages of low cost, ease of use and flexibility in the production of a dual-phase aluminium bronze alloy with pre-selected composition of 11% Al content. Cold deformation of 10 and 20% degrees and selected heat treatments were used on the cast alloy to influence its mechanical properties. The selected heat treatments are solution heat treat- ment, normalising, and ageing. The results showed that normalising gave the optimum mix of tested mechanical proper- ties with ultimate tensile strength in the range of 325 MPa, elongation of around 60% and Rockwell hardness values of 46.5 - 63.7 HRc, making this alloy suitable as alternatives to steel in low/medium strength structural applications.