Investigating the effects of Lanthanum and Tin additions on the structure and physic-mechanical properties of Cu-30%Zn Alloy

Abstract

The study explored the effects of lanthanum (La) and tin (Sn) contents on the structure, electrical and mechanical properties of Cu-30wt%Zn alloys. The Cu-30Zn alloy was incorporated with varying concentrations of lanthanum and tin (0.1- 0.5wt% and 1.0-5.0wt% at 0.1 and 1.0 intervals respectively) and fabricated using a stir-casting technique. The Tensile strength, hardness, impact strength, electrical conductivity, and resistivity were examined. The microstructures of the cast alloys were analyzed using an optical microscope (OM), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS). Results showed that the additions of lanthanum (La) and tin (Sn) refined and modified the structure of the alloy resulting in improvements of ultimate tensile strength, percentage elongation, hardness, impact strength, and electrical conductivity of the alloy, with 3wt% lanthanum and 5wt% tin recording the maximum mechanical performances and  0.1wt% lanthanum and tin exhibited the highest electrical conductivity. The electrical resistivity of the doped alloy decreased compared to the undoped alloy.