W. R. Cribb, Brush Wellman Inc., Cleveland, OH; F. C. Grensing, Brush Wellman Inc., Elmore, OH
Spinodally hardened Copper-Nickel-Tin alloys have been under various stages of development for over 40 years. Recent advances in casting technology have resulted in production-scale materials without the detrimental chemical segregation which historically limited cast products. These cast alloys possess a complex and interesting microstructure that is age-hardenable by both precipitation and a spinodal reactions. The new cast and wrought alloys, based on the Cu-15Ni-8Sn composition and developed using Lean Sigma methodologies, exhibit excellent strength, exceptional wear and good corrosion behavior. The properties of some wrought versions of the alloy are sufficient to allow the alloy to be substituted for Copper-Beryllium alloys.
The basic properties and microstructure of the alloy will be described along with wear and corrosion behavior data. It is this combination of strength, wear, and corrosion behavior that makes this alloy so attractive in applications where corrosion and wear are key parameters.
Summary: Spinodally hardened Copper-Nickel-Tin alloys have been under various stages of development for over 40 years. Recent advances in casting technology have resulted in production-scale materials without the detrimental chemical segregation which historically limited cast products. These cast alloys possess a complex and interesting microstructure that is age-hardenable by both precipitation and a spinodal reactions. The new cast and wrought alloys, based on the Cu-15Ni-8Sn composition and developed using Lean Sigma methodologies, exhibit excellent strength, exceptional wear and good corrosion behavior. The properties of some wrought versions of the alloy are sufficient to allow the alloy to be substituted for Copper-Beryllium alloys.
The basic properties and microstructure of the alloy will be described along with wear and corrosion behavior data. It is this combination of strength, wear, and corrosion behavior that makes this alloy so attractive in applications where corrosion and wear are key parameters.
