Obtaining and Analysis of a New Aluminium Bronze Material Using Induction Furnace

Abstract

Copper-based alloys with the addition of Al present excellent properties and can be considered a proper choice for applications as contact materials based on their good strength and fret resistance. Cu-Al alloys are used in different systems parts as bearings, gears and worm gears. The intention is to replace steel materials with new copper-based materials for parts that work in a possible explosive environment to reduce the possibility of spark appearance. Copper-berilyum alloys are known as non-sparking alloys and are used in different tools obtaining for environments with possible explosive gaseous. Results from the obtaining and analysis of a new alloy based on CuAlBe are given. The material was melted in a vacuum induction furnace from CuBe master alloy and high purity aluminium and cast into a metallic die. The alloys obtained were analyzed using EDS – energy dispersive spectroscopy for chemical composition, OM-optical and SEM-electronic microscopy for the microstructure, and the electro-corrosion resistance was tested using linear Tafel diagram and cyclic potentiometry.