[Cast structures and mechanical properties of Ir added to Ag-based alloys. (Part 1) (author's transl)]

The effect of very small quantity of Ir added to pure Agb or Ab-based casting alloys on the mechanical properties were investigated by microstructure observation, tensile test, XMA (electron probe micro analysis) and electrical resistivity measurement. 1) An addition of 0.005% Ir to pure Ag caused grain refinement, increased elongation, yield point, tensile strength. However, the refinement effect did not proportionally increase to the amount of additional Ir. 2) An addition of Ir to Ag alloy containing 7% Cu caused to finely dispersed beta phase in the as cast alloy and degraded the dendrite structure. As a result, homogenization and aging were accelerated. Mechanical properties i. e. elongation, yield point and tensile strength increased in castings and homogeneous state and yield point increased in aging state. The addition of about 0.05% Ir appeared optimum. 3) An addition of Ir to an Ag alloy containing 15% Cu caused grain refinement of the alloy as cast but its effect on the mechanical properties of the alloy was not clarified owing to casting defects. 4) 0.05% Ir added to an Ag alloy containing 20% Pd and 7% Cu did not show an apparent refinement effect. The optimum quantity of Ir is assumed to differ depending on the amount of Pd content.