Behavior of alloys of the copper-phosphorus system in hydrogen medium

The effect hydrogen on the structure and microhardness of cast copper alloys containing up to 14 wt. % phosphorus and some industrial copper-phosphorus solders was investigated. The alloys were studied by gravimetry, metallographic and durometric analyses. Alloys of the copper-phosphorus system are stable at ordinary temperatures and hydrogen pressure of 20 MPa and do not undergo any changes. When heated to 775/sup 0/K in hydrogen at a pressure of 10 MPa, the same alloys absorb hydrogen, become poor in phosphorus with the formation of volatile compounds, and change in properties.