Effect of Quaternary Element (Ni and Mn) Additions on Structural and Magnetic Properties of Cu-Based Alloys

Abstract

We investigated the quaternary Cu-25.49%Zn-7.68%Al-3.44%Ni and Cu-26.03%Zn-6.31%Al-2.73%Mn (wt. %) alloys according to their structural and magnetic properties. For structural observations, we employed X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and electron dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) techniques to study. The magnetic properties of alloys were characterized as a function of temperature (T) and applied external magnetic field (H) by using Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS) magnetometry. According to SEM and XRD observations, the existing microstructures consist of two types of precipitates that are namely alpha and intermetallic kappa-phases in CuZnAlNi alloy. We also observed the austenite phase in CuZnAlMn alloy. The M-H magnetization curves exhibited obvious paramagnetic behavior for the examined alloys. Although Ni and Mn elements have similar magnetic nature, they show different magnetic characteristics with different structures.