Influence of casting conditions and alloy additives on the Zn40Al2Cu alloy structure

• Published in: IOP conference series. Materials Science and Engineering Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 012010 - 9
• Main Authors: Michalik, R, Tomaszewska, A, Woźnica, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.05.2011
• Subjects: Additives; Alloying additive; Alloying elements; Alloys; Aluminum base alloys; Castability; Casting; Casting alloys; Copper; Density; Energy value; Mechanical properties; Rare earth elements; Sand; Scanning electron microscopy; Silicon; Trace elements; Tribology; X ray spectrometers; Zinc; Zinc base alloys
• ISSN: 1757-899X; 1757-8981; 1757-899X
• DOI: 10.1088/1757-899X/22/1/012010

Zn-Al-Cu alloys are characterized by several advantageous properties that can include good castability, good tribological properties, and low energy value needed to form the product. In comparison to bronzes, Zn-Al-Cu alloys are characterized by a lower density. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of casting conditions and the addition of silicon and rare earth elements on the structure of a Zn-40%Al alloy. The subjects of this examination were an unmodified alloy, an alloy with the addition of 1,5% Si, and an alloy with additions of 1,5%Si and rare earth elements. Samples were cast in sand and graphite molds. In order to determine the microstructure of the tested samples, metallographic examinations using a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) through an X-ray spectrometer were used.