Abstract
In this study, microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu-40Zn brass alloy with 0.5 mass% Cr additive produced by powder metallurgy (P/M) were investigated.Cu-40Zn-0.5Cr and Cu-40Zn brass powder were made by water-atomization process, and used as raw materials. These powder compacts were consolidated by hot extrusion at various temperatures. Yield stress of Cu-40Zn-0.5Cr extruded at 773 K was 514.6 MPa, while that of the conventional Cu-40Zn extruded at the same temperature was 332.6 MPa. Solid solution of chromium in the Cu-40Zn-0.5Cr brass alloy extruded at 773 K was about twice as that in the same brass alloy extruded at 873 K. The ratio of solid solution strengthening by chromium additives was 130 MPa/mass%[Cr]. The grain size of extruded materials increased with increasing the extrusion temperature.
