MICROSTRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF HEXAGONAL (AG, CU)ZN(4) ALLOYS INTHE DEFORMED AND AS-CAST STATE

Zn-based ternary alloys containing Ag and Cu as solutes having charact eristic hexagonal close-packed (hcp) structure (Ag, Cu)Zn4 have been s tudied for microstructural evolution in the deformed and as-cast state in order to correlate the microstructure with mechanical property of the materials. X-ray diffraction (XRD) line profile analysis, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have been used to st udy the microstructure and the mechanical property studied through the measurement of microhardness. X-ray studies of the deformed alloys re veal increased influence of solute Cu in the generation of deformation stacking fault of density alpha with increasing solute concentration. A reasonably good estimate of stacking fault energy parameter (gamma/ mu) for the alloys has also been made. Increased influence of solute C u has also been observed to control the grain sizes and microhardness. A close correlation could be establised between the microstructural p arameters and microhardness signifying the interdependence of mechanic al property with microstructure of the alloys.