Development of precipitation strengthened brass with Ti and Sn alloying elements additives by using water atomized powder via powder metallurgy route

Effect of Ti and Sn alloying elements on microstructure and mechanical properties of 60/40 brass has been studied via the powder metallurgy (P/M) route. The water-atomized BS40-0.6Sn1.0Ti (Cu40wt%Zn -0.6wt%Sn1.0wt%Ti) pre-alloyed powder was consolidated at various temperatures within range of 400-600 degrees C using spark plasma sintering (SPS) and hot extrusion was carried out at 500 degrees C. Effects of extrusion temperature on microstructure and tensile strength were investigated by employing SEM-EDS/EBSD, TEM, XRD and tensile test. Results indicated that super-saturated solid solution Ti and Sn elements created high chemical potential for a precipitate reaction in rapidly solidified brass powder, which showed significant strengthening effects on the extruded sample consolidated at lower temperature. Solid solubility of Ti in brass matrix decreased with increasing of sintering temperature, thus resulted in degradation of mechanical properties. Consequently, lower hot processing temperature is necessary to obtain excellent mechanical properties for BS40-0.6Sn1.0Ti during sintering and extrusion. An yield strength of 398 MPa and ultimate tensile strength of 615 MPa were achieved, they respectively showed 31.3% and 22.9% higher values than those of extruded Cu40Zn brass. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.