Metallographic aspects of deformed monocrystals of CuZn30 alloys

Purpose: The aim of the paper is to present the technique of production and the analysis of the structures of CuZn30 monocrystals compressed at a temperature of 20°C up to 400°C at a strain rate of 10-5 sec-1 to 10-1 sec-1. Design/methodology/approach: The range of investigations comprised the production of monocrystals for tests, the determination of their crystallographic orientation, the deformation of selected monocrystals by compressing them within the temperature range from 20°C to 400°C at a strain rate of 10-5 sec-1 to 10-1 sec-1, as well as observations of the structures on an optical microscope. Findings: The analysis of the results of these investigations permitted to prove a considerable influence of the temperature, the strain rate and the crystallographic orientation on the metallographic effects of the work hardening of the CuZn30 alloy with the orientation [1 3 9 ]. Practical implications: In the microstructures of the investigated monocrystals typical effects of plastic deformation were observed in the form of parallel cruciform lines and slip zones with locally intensified densities in various ranges of the cross-section of the sample and bands of deflection with weakly visible slip lines in the original system. Originality/value: The analysed microstructures of compressed monocrystals prove that the main mechanism of plastic deformation is the slide. Of essential influence on the structure of plastically deformed monocrystals with the orientation [1 3 9 ] are both the temperature and the strain rate.