Machinable Cu-40%Zn Composites Containing Graphite Particles by Powder Metallurgy Process

Advanced Cu-40mass%Zn alloys with a high tensile strength and excellent machinability have been developed via a powder metallurgy (P/M) process. They are environmentally benign because fine graphite particles are included instead of lead (Pb) to improve their machinability. The effect of the content and particle size of the graphite on the mechanical properties and machinability are investigated in this paper. When applying a conventional P/M process consisting of the cold compaction and hot extrusion to consolidate elementally premixed mixture of Cu-40mass%Zn and graphite powder, the addition of 1 mass% graphite particles with 5∼10 𝜇m in diameter is suitable to obtain a high tensile strength and good machinability at the same time.