EFFECT OF COBALT AND TITANIUM ADDITIONS ON CORROSION AND WEAR RESISTANCE OF NICKEL CONTAINING ALUMINUM BRONZES

Abstract

CuAl10Ni5Fe4 aluminum bronzes have better corrosion resistance and higher wear resistance at high temperatures compared to other copper alloys. In this study, the effect of cobalt (Co) and titanium (Ti), which were added in the amount of 0.5 % as a grain refiner, on the properties of nickel-containing aluminum bronze (CuAl10Ni5Fe4 alloy) was investigated in cast and forged conditions. The alloys were produced by melting scrap in a metal induction furnace, pouring molten metal into a mould made of steel and hot forging processes. In order to examine the effect of grain refiners on the phase structure of the alloys, microstructural examination was also conducted. Microhardness and mechanical properties were measured using the relevant test devices. Potentiodynamic corrosion tests were performed in a neutral NaCl solution to determine the corrosion rates of the forged alloys. Furthermore, wear behaviour of alloys under a 40 N load was investigated. It has emerged from the general results that cobalt and titanium elements are highly effective in grain size reduction, leading to an improvement in the mechanical properties, corrosion and wear resistance of the CuAl10Ni5Fe4 alloy.