Single phase synthesis of γ-brass (Cu5Zn8) nanoparticles by electric arc discharge method and investigation of their order-disorder transition temperature

Single phase gamma-brass (Cu5Zn8) nanoparticles were synthesized using the electric arc discharge method. The effect of various arc currents and pressures on the size and phase purity of the Cu-Zn alloy was studied. The arc currents of 200, 300 and 400 A and chamber pressures of 1, 2 and 3 atm of Ar were examined. The samples were characterized using XRD and SEM measurements. The results showed that the spherical nanoparticles of Cu5Zn8 with a mean particle size of 21 nm were produced at a pressure of 1 atm and an arc current of 300 A. Post annealing and quenching of the samples were used to investigate the order disorder phase transformation temperature of Cu5Zn8 in the nanosized form. The XRD analyses showed that the disorder phase starts at 400 degrees C and completes at 480 degrees C which is different from the bulk brasses. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.