Microstructure and Fatigue Behavior of a Ni-Cu-Sn Alloy

Abstract

In this paper, the static and fatigue properties of a Cu-Ni-Sn alloy are investigated. Tensile tests, hardness tests and microstructural analyses using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed and two sets of fatigue tests, with load ratio (R) R = − 1 and R = 0 , respectively, were carried out. The results showed the capability of the alloy to bear high static stress, thanks to its good strength properties. However, the fatigue tests showed a strong sensitivity of the alloy fatigue properties depending on the raw material batch. The comparison between microstructural analyses and fatigue test results showed a strong correlation; in particular, the specimens having a more inhomogeneous microstructure showed lower durability. In addition, the different microstructure also affected the fracture surface morphology as highlighted by SEM analyses.

Keywords

• Ni-Cu-Sn alloy
• fatigue
• mechanical characterization
• microstructure
• SEM
• image elaboration