Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

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Materials Today: Proceedings

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Investigation Ni and Si Nano-addition effect on the microstructure and

hardness of aluminum bronze
Maroa Ali Harab, Ahmed Hashim Kareem ⇑
Mechanical Dep. Amarah Technical Institute, Southern Technical University, Iraq

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: This work deals with the stir casting technique for strengthening the Aluminium bronze alloy utilizing
Available online xxxx the nanoparticles of Ni and Si to enhance the mechanical properties and microstructure of these alloys.
This alloy is reinforced by nanoparticles of Ni and Si with different percentages of (0.6, 1.1, 1.5, and 3 wt
Keywords: %). Here, based on the magnetic field and mechanical stirring of the induction furnace, the stir casting
Stir casting technique was used. The samples were tested to investigate the mechanical properties of the hardness
Microstructure test. To study the influence of Ni and Si nanoparticles on the microstructure of cast specimens the
Furnace
Optical Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope was used. The results showed that cast alloy
The mechanical properties
Matrix
microstructure is consisting of a a-phase with fine dendritic structure and agglomerations. The examina-
tions explain that the specimens contain the copper matrix, Ni-rich phase, and no indication of Si. The
change in values of hardness is shown to 210.1 HV after adding of 3%wt Ni and Si nanoparticles. This
is because the resulting of the strengthening and strain hardening.
Ó 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Second International Conference on Aspects of Materials Science and
Engineering (ICAMSE 2021).

1. Introduction and silicon in Cu alloys are generally added to produce high

This work deals with the increasing applications of copper-
based alloys that have an approximate content of 8% aluminium
(aluminium bronze), it is considered suitable for many casting
applications such as the manufacturing of tubes of condensers
and heat-exchangers. Significant improvement of the mechanical
properties of this aluminium bronze can be done by heat treat-
ments [1]. Therefore, the aluminium bronze which has a content
of 5, 12, or up to 14% Al is selected. This alloy is well known for
its exhibit high wear and corrosion resistance [2]. Besides, the Al-
bronze has properties such as elasticity, hardness, and toughness
more than that of Sn-bronzes [3]. There are many other applications
for the Aluminum bronze alloy, for example, aviation, railway, and
marine applications [4]. Producing dispersion-strengthened copper
matrix composites is involving casting and powder metallurgy [5].
The existence of Ni and Si in Cu-based alloys makes these alloys
well known and are referred to as Corson alloys [6]. These alloys
provide high age hardenability because of the precipitate hardening
that leads to high mechanical properties. Several strengthening
possibilities are offered by metallic alloys such as fine precipitation,
solid solution, strain hardening, and grain refinement [7]. Nickel
⇑ Corresponding author.
E-mail address: ahmedhashim@stu.edu.iq (A. Hashim Kareem).
mechanical strength due to the precipitation hardening with pre-
cipitates fine structure of d-Ni2Si [8]. Lockyer et al stated that the
age-hardening effect on the precipitates [9]. This study was carried
out using dilute Cu-Ni-Si alloys based on Cu2NiSi and the transmis-
sion electron microscopy was used as a measuring technique. It was
concluded that the reason for the strengthening of alloy on aging is
the effect of two mechanisms. These mechanisms are the coherent
strengthening of Cu-2Ni-1Si alloy and Orowan mechanism. The
precipitate type Cu2NiSi that formed in alloys has an orthorhombic
structure corresponding to d-Ni2Si. Zhao et al. [10,11] reported that
the age-hardening in Cu–3.2Ni–0.75Si (wt.%) alloy at 450 degreesC.
They concluded there are two mechanisms of the Cu–3.2Ni–0.75Si
alloy strengthening on aging are attributed. Also, Srivastava et al.
[12,13,14] noted that the effect of aging and cold rolling on the
strength and electrical conductivity of Cu-Ni-Si alloy. After solution
treatment, the hardness of the aged alloy was improved by cold
rolling. In this study the copper-based alloy with aluminium con-
tent of 8% wt untreatable by solution treatment alloy were rein-
forced by nanoparticles Ni and Si to enhance the mechanical
properties. The samples were tested to investigate the mechanical
properties of the hardness test [15,16]. To study the influence of
Ni and Si nanoparticles on the microstructure of cast specimens
the Optical Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope was used
Fig. 1.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.01.430
2214-7853/Ó 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Second International Conference on Aspects of Materials Science and Engineering (ICAMSE 2021).

Please cite this article as: M. Ali Harab and A. Hashim Kareem, Investigation Ni and Si Nano-addition effect on the microstructure and hardness of alu-
minum bronze, Materials Today: Proceedings, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.01.430
M. Ali Harab and A. Hashim Kareem Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

Fig 1. Shows stir casting system.

2. Experimental procedures

2.1. Material

In this research, Hongwu International Group Ltd developed

aluminum bronze alloys and nanoparticles Ni and Si as a starting
material with a purity of 99.9% and a particle size of 80 nm. These
nanoparticles are used to strengthen aluminum bronze to enhance
the mechanical properties. Samples of aluminum bronze alloy are
cut into many parts measuring 20x20x20 mm in scale. The analysis
of the materials was done using the X-Ray fluorescent at Baghdad
Central Library/ Ministry of Construction and Housing. The chemi-
cal composition was the target for this examination. These compo-
sitions are tabulated in Table 1. Another SEM (MEGA3LM/TESCAN)
test was conducted at the Department of Manufacturing Engineer-
ing and Metallurgy/ University of Technology to check the shape
and scale of Ni and Si particles.
2.2. Tool and equipment
There is a device that consists of an induction furnace and a cru-
cible of graphite used for the sample cast conduct. Besides, the
600 rpm speed mixer was used to conduct the stir casting process
As seen in Fig. 2, the casting process was conducted using two
holes with a diameter of 10 mm and 16 mm in a cast-iron mold.
[12]. The test of microhardness using a TH714 of (3 0 0) g load Dig-
ital Micro Vickers Hardness tester is applied. Optical Microscope
and microhardness test using a TH714 of (3 0 0) g load are applied.
Shimdzu 6000 X-ray diffraction with 2h angle target CuKa1 radia-
tion covered from 15 to 120 degrees is used also. Also, Scanning
electron microscopy (SEM) with EDS is used in this study.
2.3. Melting and casting
For about (100–150) ° C, the preheat of casting molds is very
important before pouring. This is due to avoid several defects in
the casting such as shrinkage cavities [12 13]. To prevent oxidation
Fig 2. The rod casts.
of the experimental materials, an argon atmosphere was used in
this process. The master alloys of the Cu-Al alloy are first dissolved
and then a quantity of nanoparticles (0.6, 1.1, 1.5, and3) percent of
Ni and Si is applied by copper foil to molten aluminum bronze after
five minutes. These nanoparticles have already been mixed with
75 lm particle size of copper powder before the addition to
increased homogeneity. Now, mechanical stirring is initiated in a
vigorous way. The material fluxes that were used during melting
as a surface covered are mainly borax. This is due to its ability to
dissolve and collect active oxides. Besides, it contributes to making
structure free from solid non-metallic [14]. Table 2 presented the
chemical analysis of sample casts.
2.4. Sample preparation
As seen in Fig. 2, rod forms with a diameter of 120 mm in length
and 16 mm in diameter are taken during the casting process. Then,
these samples are prepared into dimensions of 16 mm diameter
and 5 mm in length. These samples are grinded, polished, and
etched by solution (5 mL HCl, 95% methanol, 5 g FeCl3) so as to
reveal the microstructure and microhardness [15].

Table 1
An analysis of the chemical composition of the materials used illustrates the research.

materials analysis
Alloy Cu Al Fe Si Mn P Ag
CuAl 92.217 7.7 0.012 0.017 0.001
Cu powder 99.721 – 0.082 – 0.012 0.104 0.082
powder analysis
Nano powder Ni Si Cr2O3 CuO
Ni 99.86 – 0.009 0.001
Si – 99.79 – 0.006

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M. Ali Harab and A. Hashim Kareem Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

Table 2 and thirdly, it causes the particles to scatter [16]. The formation of
Shows the chemical analysis of samples alloys after and before casting. porosity is a result of the gas bubbles that are trapped in the struc-
Samples No. before casting Wt% after casting Wt.% ture during casting. These alloys contain different proportions of
1 Cu8 Al Cu7.7 Al nanoparticles of (0.6, 1.1, 1.5, and 3) wt% of Ni and Si. Although
2A Cu8Al + 0.8Ni + 0.8Si Cu7.7Al + 0.6 Ni + 0.6Si the sample microstructure with the inclusion of nanoparticle 1.5
2B Cu8Al + 1.3 Ni + 1.3Si Cu7.7Al + 1.1 Ni + 1.1Si Ni and 1.5% Si was seen to have a small dendrite area and a finer
2C Cu8Al + 1.8 Ni + 1.8Si Cu7.7Al + 1.5 Ni + 1.5Si a-phase than the matrix as shown in Fig. 3(c and b).
2D Cu8Al + 3.5 Ni + 3.5Si Cu7.7Al + 3 Ni + 3Si
Hence, in Fig. 3(e and f) the dendrite is increased slightly by
increasing nano- Ni and Si particles content due to the strain hard-
ening by nanoparticles. Besides, the finer a-phase was shown in
3. Results and discussion these samples compared in both the matrix and samples with 1.5
Ni and 1.5% Si of the nanoparticle. Since these nanoparticles can
3.1. Microstructure of alloy serve as nucleation sites in molten metal during solidification of
samples enhanced by adding of nanoparticles, they can contribute
With an optical microscope, the microstructure of alloys was to agglomeration in different areas. The phases that exist in the
examined to understand the behavior of the nanoparticles Ni and nanoparticle-reinforced cast alloy can be described using XRD.
Si along with the Cu-Al alloy matrix and how it impacted the struc- The 2h angle covered is from15 to 100 degrees. XRD analysis is per-
tures, as seen in Fig. 3. The microstructure of aluminum bronze formed on the samples indicating a strong peak of the a-phase. The
alloy matrix is demonstrated as a dendritic structure of a-phase, smallest peaks are Al2O3 that formed in the matrix as shown in
oxides, and porosities at the grain boundaries, and a-phase is dis- Fig. 4.
tributed as administrating in Figure (3 a and b). It is suggested that
a few particles in the Cu-Al melt were oxides in this processing
pathway. Melt stirring has three effects on the composite sample 3.2. Scanning electron Microscope
microstructure: firstly, it allows the dendrite-shaped surface to
split and leave the structure in an equiaxed form, secondly, it The SEM images of EDX of cast Cu-Al alloys reinforced by
increases the wettability and absorption of particles into the melt; Nanoparticle Ni and Si are seen in Fig. 5. The analysis shows that

Fig 3. Cu-Al alloys Optical Microscope (a,b) Cu7.7Al, (c,d) Cu7.7Al + 1.5 Ni + 1.5Si wt%, (e,f) Cu7.7Al + 3 Ni + 3Si wt%.

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M. Ali Harab and A. Hashim Kareem Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

Fig 4. XRD of Cu-Al alloys.

Fig 5. The SEM and EDS of aluminum bronze alloy strengthening by nanoparticles.

the specimens have a copper matrix and a small amount of Al2O3.

Table 3
There are a Ni-rich phase and no sign of Si nanoparticles, according Indicates the Microhardness of samples casts alloys.
to the EDS. This is because of the losses during casting or floating. It
Sample No. Additive Wt.% Microhardness Hv
is shown an amount of porosity as a casting defect in the
microstructures of samples. The sum of porosity in the microstruc- 1 Cu7.7 Al 166.2
2A Cu7.7 Al + 0.6 Ni + 0.6Si 192.1
tures of samples is shown as a casting defect. Mechanical proper-
2B Cu7.7 Al + 1.1 Ni + 1.1Si 198.5
ties, such as strength and hardness, may be influenced by such 2C Cu7.7 Al + 1.5 Ni + 1.5Si 202.6
porosity. But the amount of porosity is also changed, which affects 2D Cu7.7 Al + 3 Ni + 3Si 210.1
toughness by adjusting the elastic modulus.

3.3. Hardness test strengthening by nanoparticles due to the obstacles to dislocation

In order to conform with the hardness test, five samples were
chosen. The hardness effect of the nanoparticles is shown in
Table 3. The results from the microhardness test of all samples
improved by nanoparticles were used. These values demonstrate
that the Hv hardness increases dramatically with increased
nanoparticles of Ni and Si. The Hv hardness value increases from
166.1 HV for the matrix to 210 HV for reinforced alloys for both
Ni and Si nanoparticles of 3 wt%. Increased Hardness indicates
improved mechanical properties of samples; therefore there is a
movement by interactions with grain boundary and resulting
strain hardening.
Due to the correlation between the porosity and mechanical
properties of cast aluminum alloys, the hardness increased slightly
from Table 3. In addition to the porosity effect, a number of vari-
ables such as chemical composition typically arise from the
mechanical properties of these alloys. The mechanical properties
of aluminum casting alloys are generally known to rely on
microstructural characteristics such as dendritic cell size, grain
size, etc.

4
M. Ali Harab and A. Hashim Kareem
4. Conclusions
1. The behavior of changing in microstructure depends on the con-
centration of nanoparticle addition.
2. The SEM with EDS shows that the matrix comprises alpha-
phase, Ni-rich phase, and no Si hint for the specimens. This is
due to losses during slag casting or floating.
3. During stir casting results, the variations of Ni and Si nano addi-
tion to the Cu-Al alloy matrix enhanced the hardness value to
210.1 HV.
CRediT authorship contribution statement
Maroa Ali Harab: Conceptualization, Data curation, Methodol-
ogy, Software, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing -
original draft. Ahmed Hashim Kareem: Investigation, Software,
Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing - review & editing.
Declaration of Competing Interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing finan-
cial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared
to influence the work reported in this paper.
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