Effect of Ce addition on microstructure and properties of Cu-Zn-Mn-Al-based alloy

The effect of 0.25 wt% Ce on the microstructure, mechanical properties and electrochemical performance of HMn64-8-5-1.5 alloy was investigated. The test results show that both test alloys consist of matrix beta phase and (Mn, Fe)(5)Si-3 hard phase, and (Mn, Fe)(5)Si-3 hard phase is divided into coarse primary phase with hollow structure and small eutectic phase with hollow structure. Ce has significantly refined the grain size of the beta phase of the substrate, and at the same time, the number of primary ((Mn, Fe)(5)Si-3 hard phases was increased and their size was refined. The increase in the number of (Mn, Fe)(5)Si-3 hard phases and the refinement have led to an increase in the tensile strength and hardness of the alloy. The addition of Ce significantly improves the electrochemical corrosion resistance of the alloy.