Effect of Ni Content on Microstructure and Characterization of Cu-Ni-Sn Alloys

Cu-xNi-5Sn (wt %) alloys with a different Ni content were prepared by a powder metallurgy method. The effect of Ni content on the hardness and yield strength of Cu-xNi-5Sn (wt %) alloys was investigated. The microstructure, composition, and morphology of Cu-xNi-5Sn (wt %) alloys were observed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and cold field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), respectively. Results indicate that the hardness and yield strength firstly increase and then decrease with the increase of Ni content and reach up to a maximum when Ni content is 12.5 wt %. Furthermore, the formation of the sandwich structure and needle-like phase is found in the grain, the grain boundary and intragranular precipitates are rich in both the Ni and Sn phase. The formation of the inerratic and suitable lamellar precipitates of sandwich structure and needle-like phase can be responsible for the good mechanical properties of the Cu-12.5Ni-5Sn alloy after aging treatment. The sandwich structure and need-like phase that were observed by FESEM can contribute to clarify the morphology of Cu-Ni-Sn alloys.