Contribution to the knowledge of the Cu-Sn-Zn system for compositions close to brass alloys

The effect of tin content in the equilibrium phases of the Cu-Zn-based alloys, within the range of chemical compositions with interest to brass producers is described. For this purpose, ternary alloys with copper contents between 55.4 and 67.5 wt.% and tin contents up to 5.30 wt.% have been studied. The chemical composition of each alloy has been determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). Isothermal homogenization, followed by rapid cooling, has been employed to determine the equilibrium phases at different temperatures. The homogenized alloys have been observed by scanning electron microscopy and the respective chemical analysis of the phases determined by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). The statistical analysis of the obtained results enable to correlate the chemical composition of equilibrium phases with temperature. The chemical composition of the three-phase field, for the studied temperatures, has also been determined. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.