The formation of deformation induced martensite in beta-stabilized complexaluminum bronzes during tribological testing

In the solid state, in a way similar to hardenable steels, the heterogeneou s complex aluminium bronzes also exhibit phase transformations which determ ines both the microstructure and properties of these materials, The body ce ntered cubic high temperature phase, which crystallises from the melt, tran sforms depending on it's chemical composition and rate of cooling into diff erent product phases or remains as a mete-stable phase within the microstru cture. Furthermore order transformations and precipitation processes may al so occur. This article is concerned with the effects of heat treatments and laser remelting on the microstructure of, two such cast alloys which diffe r from one another in their transformation behaviour. In addition to this, the microstructural changes occurring as a result of the tribological testi ng of the thermally treated specimens are discussed.