Effects of Micro Additions on the Properties of CuSn12Ni Continuous Cast Components

CuSn12Ni is a nickel tin bronze alloy that is widely used in heavy machinery wear components due to its high wear resistance. While important for wear properties, the presence of a hard but brittle intermetallic Cu41Sn11 phase within the microstructure can lead to significant variability in tensile properties, particularly with position in the continuous casting run. In this study, micro additions were introduced at the start of the continuous casting process to improve the uniformity of material properties. The results showed that these additions led to a significant increase in the hardness and yield strength of the material, by 10% and 8.8%, respectively. The morphology and volume fraction of the intermetallic phase were also found to be more uniform throughout the casting run, leading to more consistent material properties. The findings suggest that micro additions can be an effective method for improving the properties of CuSn12Ni continuous cast components, particularly in applications where high wear resistance is required.