RESPONSE OF SOME CAST ZINC-BASE ALLOYS (37.5-PERCENT AL) COMPRISED OFNICKEL SILICON UNDER DIFFERENT TENSILE LOADING CONDITIONS/

Observations were made during tensile testing of some zinc-base alloys (37.5% Al) comprised of nickel/silicon at different strain rates and temperatures. The zinc-base alloy without nickel/silicon was also test ed under identical conditions to see the effects of the alloying eleme nts on the tensile (strength and elongation) properties. The nickel/si licon-free alloy attained tensile properties superior to those samples alloyed with the elements. Moreover, reducing content of copper deter iorated the properties of the alloy system. An increase in silicon con tent produced similar effects. In general, higher strain rates led to better tensile properties, within limits. Further strength of the samp les deteriorated with test temperature while elongation followed a rev erse trend. However, the presence of nickel/silicon reduced the temper ature sensitivity of the strength of the alloy system, The behavior of the alloys is discussed in terms of specific features of their microc onstituents.