Tailoring the mechanical properties of Al-Sn-alloys for tribological applications

A 95% cold-rolled Al-20%Sn-1%Cu alloy was heat-treated in a range of temperatures and times to investigate the evolution of mechanical properties and microstructure. The most interesting combination of properties can be achieved between 300 and 400°C in a process that is simpler than what is used in industry. The physical phenomena which are active during the heat treatment are precipitation, recovery, recrystallisation and change in phase distribution due to surface tension. The former two predominate at low temperatures, while the latter achieve faster kinetics at higher temperatures, where recrystallisation is coupled to the change in morphology of the contiguous Sn-phase.