Effects of Alloying Elements (Ti and Cr) on the Microstructures, Mechanical and Wear Properties of Manganese Brasses

This study investigated the synergistic effects of Ti and Cr alloying elements on the microstructure, mechanical and wear properties of Cu-Zn manganese brasses. The simultaneous addition of Ni and Pb elements decreases the size of silicides and thus increases the yield strength of brass. The addition of Ti on the basis of Ni and Pb increases the content of silicides, and the generation of massive small-sized silicides increases the hardness and the wear resistance of brass. Cr element has refining effect on the size of silicides, and the smallest-sized and most uniformly distributed silicides induce the largest ultimate tensile strength and elongation. However, the simultaneous addition of Cr and Ti elements causes the agglomeration of silicides, and this results in poor ductility and wear resistance of brass.