Mechanical Properties and Microstructures of Locally Produced Aluminium-Bronze Alloy

Uyime Donatus, Joseph Ajibade Omotoyinbo, Itopa Monday Momoh

Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
Engineering Materials Development Institute, Akure, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2012.1110105                

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.

Keywords

Aluminium-Bronze; Solution Heat Treatment; Dual-Phase; Cold Deformation

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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