MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF AS-CAST AND HEAT-TREATED LEAD ALLOY ZIRCON PARTICULATE COMPOSITES

This paper describes a study of the mechanical properties of as-cast a nd heat-treated lead-antimony alloy composites containing from 0 to 5 wt% zircon particles of size 90-150 mu m. The 'vortex method' of produ ction was employed in which the zircon particles were poured into the vortex created by stirring the molten metal at 400 degrees C by means of a mechanical agitator. Subsequent homogenizing heat treatment was p erformed at 200 degrees C for durations of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 h. The res ults of this study revealed that as zircon composition was increased, there were significant increases in the ultimate tensile strength, har dness, torsional strength and impact strength of the composite, accomp anied by a reduction in its ductility. Heat treatment was found to pro duce a similar effect. An attempt is made in the paper to furnish expl anations for these phenomena. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limi ted.