Abstract:
The Al-brass alloy including Ce was developed in this work as an alternative to the As-Al-brass, as the latter causes environmental and health issues. This research is devoted to study the effect of different percentages of Ce addition (2, 3, 4) wt.% and Al (4 wt.% ) to ?-brass alloy (CuZn30%) produced by die casting on mechanical and electrochemical properties. The morphology and compositional changes of Ce Al alloys, X-Ray Diffraction tests, corrosion behavior in 3.5%NaCl solution, hardness test, and dry wear performance have been investigated. Comparing with ?- brass alloy, Brinell s hardness was increased by (161%) while corrosion and dry wear rate decreased by (79%) and (93%) respectively for the best specimen which contained (4%wt Ce + 4wt% Al). The phases are presented after corrosion test conditions as revealed by XRD analysis are (Al2O3, ZnO, CuO).
CONCLUSIONS
Results of experiments counting the prepared ?-brass alloys analysis to evaluate and study Ce and Al alloying elements effect of on the mechanical, microstructure, and corrosion properties of ?-brass alloy as:
1. Cerium and Aluminum has a substantial effect on microstructure properties. They provide finer grains and increase the strength of the boundaries of the grains.
2. Vickers hardness(HV) of the ?-brass alloy is increased with the addition of Ce and Al by (118%), (152%), and (161%), specimens of 4wt.% Al with (2, 3 4 wt.%) Ce, respectively.
3. Corrosion rate of the ?-brass alloy is decreased with the addition of Ce and Al by ( 29.18 %), (35.80%), and (79.10%), specimens of 4wt.% Al with (2, 3, and 4 wt.%) Ce respectively
4. Dry wear rate of the ?-brass alloy is decreased with the addition of Ce and Al by (59%), (89%), and (93%), for specimens of 4wt.% Al with (2, 3, and 4 wt.% ) Ce respectively at applied load 15 KN for 40 min.