Experimental and process modelling of chemical composition and thermal ageing of Ti-doped cast Cu-Ni alloy for microstructural, conductivity, and mechanical properties

This study investigates the effects of titanium (Ti) content and thermal aging on the mechanical properties, microstructure, and electrical conductivity of Ti-doped Cu-10Ni alloy. Both as-cast and heat-treated alloys were subjected to comprehensive mechanical testing, electrical conductivity measure...

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Main Authors: Cynthia C. Okechukwu, Francis O. Edoziuno, Adeolu A. Adediran, Silas O. Okuma, Augustine B. Okoubulu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Alloys and Metallurgical Systems
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949917824000907
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author Cynthia C. Okechukwu
Francis O. Edoziuno
Adeolu A. Adediran
Silas O. Okuma
Augustine B. Okoubulu
author_facet Cynthia C. Okechukwu
Francis O. Edoziuno
Adeolu A. Adediran
Silas O. Okuma
Augustine B. Okoubulu
author_sort Cynthia C. Okechukwu
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the effects of titanium (Ti) content and thermal aging on the mechanical properties, microstructure, and electrical conductivity of Ti-doped Cu-10Ni alloy. Both as-cast and heat-treated alloys were subjected to comprehensive mechanical testing, electrical conductivity measurements, and microstructural analysis. A response surface methodology (RSM) was employed for statistical analysis, predictive modeling, and optimization, with Ti concentration (0.1–3.5 wt%) and aging temperature (400°C–500°C) as the independent variables, and tensile strength, elongation, hardness, impact strength, and electrical conductivity as response variables. The results indicate that Ti addition, particularly in the range of 1.5–3.5 wt%, refined the as-cast microstructure of Cu-10Ni alloys, leading to modest improvements in mechanical properties compared to the base alloy. Aging treatments promoted the formation of precipitates and second phases, notably β-Ni₃Ti, β-Ti₂, and δ-Ti₂Ni, which contributed significantly to property enhancement. The alloy's ultimate tensile strength (UTS) reached 659 MPa with 2.5 wt% Ti aged at 500°C for 2 h. At 3.5 wt% Ti and 450°C aging, the alloy exhibited the highest values for elongation (24.23 %), hardness (193.4 BHN), and impact strength (157 J). Electrical conductivity also improved across all Ti concentrations after aging, with conductivity increasing with higher aging temperatures, though the rate of increase diminished as Ti content rose. Statistical analysis demonstrated good agreement between experimental and predicted values, with the regression models being statistically significant (p < 0.05). Optimal alloy composition and aging conditions were identified, yielding the best combination of mechanical properties and electrical conductivity for the Cu-10Ni alloy.
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spelling doaj-art-a2865dcedba24f0a836b469687bcf3a92025-08-20T02:55:45ZengElsevierJournal of Alloys and Metallurgical Systems2949-91782025-03-01910014110.1016/j.jalmes.2024.100141Experimental and process modelling of chemical composition and thermal ageing of Ti-doped cast Cu-Ni alloy for microstructural, conductivity, and mechanical propertiesCynthia C. Okechukwu0Francis O. Edoziuno1Adeolu A. Adediran2Silas O. Okuma3Augustine B. Okoubulu4Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, Nigeria; Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria; Corresponding author at: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, Nigeria.Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria; Corresponding author.Department of Mechanical Engineering, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria; Department of Mechanical Engineering Science, University of Johannesburg, South AfricaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, NigeriaDepartment of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Delta State, NigeriaThis study investigates the effects of titanium (Ti) content and thermal aging on the mechanical properties, microstructure, and electrical conductivity of Ti-doped Cu-10Ni alloy. Both as-cast and heat-treated alloys were subjected to comprehensive mechanical testing, electrical conductivity measurements, and microstructural analysis. A response surface methodology (RSM) was employed for statistical analysis, predictive modeling, and optimization, with Ti concentration (0.1–3.5 wt%) and aging temperature (400°C–500°C) as the independent variables, and tensile strength, elongation, hardness, impact strength, and electrical conductivity as response variables. The results indicate that Ti addition, particularly in the range of 1.5–3.5 wt%, refined the as-cast microstructure of Cu-10Ni alloys, leading to modest improvements in mechanical properties compared to the base alloy. Aging treatments promoted the formation of precipitates and second phases, notably β-Ni₃Ti, β-Ti₂, and δ-Ti₂Ni, which contributed significantly to property enhancement. The alloy's ultimate tensile strength (UTS) reached 659 MPa with 2.5 wt% Ti aged at 500°C for 2 h. At 3.5 wt% Ti and 450°C aging, the alloy exhibited the highest values for elongation (24.23 %), hardness (193.4 BHN), and impact strength (157 J). Electrical conductivity also improved across all Ti concentrations after aging, with conductivity increasing with higher aging temperatures, though the rate of increase diminished as Ti content rose. Statistical analysis demonstrated good agreement between experimental and predicted values, with the regression models being statistically significant (p < 0.05). Optimal alloy composition and aging conditions were identified, yielding the best combination of mechanical properties and electrical conductivity for the Cu-10Ni alloy.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949917824000907Cu-Ni alloyTitaniumAging treatmentAs-cast propertiesRSM modeling
spellingShingle Cynthia C. Okechukwu
Francis O. Edoziuno
Adeolu A. Adediran
Silas O. Okuma
Augustine B. Okoubulu
Experimental and process modelling of chemical composition and thermal ageing of Ti-doped cast Cu-Ni alloy for microstructural, conductivity, and mechanical properties
Journal of Alloys and Metallurgical Systems
Cu-Ni alloy
Titanium
Aging treatment
As-cast properties
RSM modeling
title Experimental and process modelling of chemical composition and thermal ageing of Ti-doped cast Cu-Ni alloy for microstructural, conductivity, and mechanical properties
title_full Experimental and process modelling of chemical composition and thermal ageing of Ti-doped cast Cu-Ni alloy for microstructural, conductivity, and mechanical properties
title_fullStr Experimental and process modelling of chemical composition and thermal ageing of Ti-doped cast Cu-Ni alloy for microstructural, conductivity, and mechanical properties
title_full_unstemmed Experimental and process modelling of chemical composition and thermal ageing of Ti-doped cast Cu-Ni alloy for microstructural, conductivity, and mechanical properties
title_short Experimental and process modelling of chemical composition and thermal ageing of Ti-doped cast Cu-Ni alloy for microstructural, conductivity, and mechanical properties
title_sort experimental and process modelling of chemical composition and thermal ageing of ti doped cast cu ni alloy for microstructural conductivity and mechanical properties
topic Cu-Ni alloy
Titanium
Aging treatment
As-cast properties
RSM modeling
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949917824000907
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AT silasookuma experimentalandprocessmodellingofchemicalcompositionandthermalageingoftidopedcastcunialloyformicrostructuralconductivityandmechanicalproperties
AT augustinebokoubulu experimentalandprocessmodellingofchemicalcompositionandthermalageingoftidopedcastcunialloyformicrostructuralconductivityandmechanicalproperties