The Shop > Metal Stuff
Aluminum Copper Alloy Experiment
NormanV:
I've just tested a piece. A file cuts it and it compares quite well with steel in its resistance. It turns ok but not a great finish and it is drillable. I'm going to use it for the bearings for my traction engine which is not going to see a lot of use so it should be good enough.
mattinker:
You melted the Al first in the second attempt. Molten Al is very corrosive and will dissolve copper at well below it's melting point I think you will find the melting point of your Al bronze should be just a little above that of the Aluminium.
Regards, Matthew
seadog:
I don't think it's corrosive. What does happen is that a eutectic alloy forms which has a much lower melting point than the copper.
mattinker:
--- Quote from: seadog on November 03, 2017, 10:23:10 AM ---I don't think it's corrosive. What does happen is that a eutectic alloy forms which has a much lower melting point than the copper.
--- End quote ---
I don't doubt you for a minut! I was told it was corrosive, but I think your explanation sounds better! I know that the resulting alloy has a lower melting point than copper. I can't find it now, but if I remember correctly, it's just a little over Al, which is very handy.
seadog:
When I was doing Engineering Science, a new A level for 1968, our teacher demonstrated this by heating a piece of copper strip whilst rubbing an aluminium rod against it. When the temperature reached the melting point of aluminium he was able to push the rod through the copper. I don't think it reached more than a dull red heat.
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