ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Investigation of microstructure, mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of Cu–Al–Zn–Sn high-entropy alloy for kitchen utensils and other industrial applications

Samuel Ushe Ayuba, Ojo Sunday Isaac Fayomi, and Olugbenga Adeshola Omotosho

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria

E-mail: ayubasushe@gmail.com

Received: 21 April 2022  Accepted: 8 June 2022

Abstract:

Aluminium is increasingly being used for the production of engineering materials and house-hold utensils. However, failure occurs over time on exposure to saline, acidic and alkaline environments. A sample from aluminium (Al) material and samples of Cu–Al–Zn–Sn high entropy alloys were produced using the stir casting process. The potentiodynamic polarization method was used to study the Corrosion Rate (CR) of the samples in 3.65 wt.% NaCl solution, while the CETR reciprocating sliding tribometer was used to examine the Wear Rate (WR) following ASTM G99 standard. A nanoindenter was further employed to investigate the Vickers Hardness (VH) following ASTM A–370 standard, while the Maximum Temperature of Stability (MTS) of the samples was studied using a Veeco technologically produced Thermo-gravimetric Analyzer. The microstructures of the HEA samples were examined using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray Diffractometer (XRD). The OES revealed at least 99.9% purity for Al, Cu, Zn and Sn. For the aluminium material sample the CR, WR, VH and MTS were 0.9327 mm/year, 1.888 × 10⁻⁵ mm³/N/m, 56.25 mN/mm² and 610 °C, respectively. The CR of the aluminium sample indicated significant deterioration of the metal’s active sites. Moreover, the best performing sample; HEA 1 sample exhibited CR and MTS of 0.3118 mm/year and 720 °C, respectively, relatively lower WR of 1.583 × 10^–5 mm³/N/m and comparatively higher VH of 478.44 mN/mm², compared to the other samples. The CR, WR, VH and MTS of the HEA samples indicated the passivating and high strengthening of the Cu–Zn–Sn constituent of the HEAs.

Keywords: Aluminium; Alloys; Corrosion; Homogeneity; Casting; Hardness

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-022-02336-4

Chemical Papers 76 (10) 6437–6449 (2022)