Mechanochemical modification of tin bronzes with intermetallide Cu9 Al4

The influence of the conditions of mechanical activation of a mixture of Cu–12 wt. % Sn with different content of the modifier Cu9 Al4 on the structural-phase composition and morphology of the formed composites was studied by the methods of X-ray diffraction analysis, optical and electron microscopy. With the mechanochemical introduction of 10 wt. % of the modifying additive into the matrix of mechanosynthesized tin bronze, the product mainly forms a ternary solid solution of aluminum and tin in copper, Al0.05Cu0.9Sn0.05. In the case of 20 wt. % of the modifying additive, the product contains a solid solution of tin in copper Cu0.9Sn0.1 and an intermetallic compound Cu9 Al4. Studies of the mechanical and tribotechnical characteristics of the material obtained by sintering under pressure showed that the intensity of wear of bronze of the mechanochemically synthesized powder Cu–12 wt. % Sn is slightly less than that of industrial bronze BrTPh10-1, the friction coefficient f decreases by a factor of 1.4, and the range of its values is quite wide f = 0.7–0.9. Modification of mechanically synthesized Cu–12 wt. % Sn bronze with the Cu9 Al4 intermetallic compound makes it possible to reduce wear by a factor of 1.4–1.8 and significantly reduces the friction coefficient (by a factor of 2). A stable value of f = 0.5 is achieved for the MA composition Cu–12 wt. % Sn + 20 wt. % Cu9 Al4. The introduction of an intermetallic compound increases the microhardness of the alloys by a factor of 1.6–2.0 (up to Hμ = 2730 MPa) relative to the bronze alloy BrTPh10-1and mechanically synthesized bronze.