The relationship between hot ductility and intergranular fracture in a CuSn6P alloy at elevated temperatures

The hot ductility of tin α-bronzes has been studied by hot tensile and hot torsion tests, microscopic observations of grain boundary sliding, fracture surface observations and Augerʹs spectrometric technique. It has been found that the minimum plasticity of the tested alloy observed as a function of deformation temperature is directly connected with grain boundary sliding and the segregation of tin atoms and impurities, mainly sulphur, at the grain boundary. The complex effect of these mechanisms determines the intergranular fracture of CuSn6P grade bronze within the temperature range of minimum plasticity (DMT).