Mechanical Properties at High Temperatures and Microstructures of a Nickel Aluminum Bronze Alloy

Abstract

Nickel Aluminum Bronze (NAB) alloys have been widely used in different kinds of machine parts where the superior resistance to corrosion and erosion in saltwater is needed. In this work, mechanical properties at high temperatures and microstructures of a NAB alloy were investigated. First, NAB specimens were prepared as an as-cast ingot and were subsequently heat-treated at 675°C for 6 hours in order to improve microstructure and mechanical properties. The mechanical properties at high temperatures in form of the plastic flow curves of the NAB alloy were characterized by a deformation dilatometer. The NAB samples were compressed at high temperature and rapidly cooled down to room temperature. The deformation temperatures of 825°C, 850°C and 900°C, a strain rate of 0.01 s-1, and a maximum compression strain of 0.4 were considered. The influences of the temperature on flow behavior of the NAB alloy were investigated. The plastic stress-strain curves at different temperatures were compared with regard to the rate of material strain hardening and softening. It was found that the compression stresses decreased with increasing temperatures. Additionally, the resulted hardness and microstructures of the alloy after forming at high temperatures were analyzed.