Development of Anti-Wear, Anti-Corrosion and Thermomechanical Stability Material from Equiatomic Modified Compactable Quantum Alloy

Enhancing material properties through modification aims to improve corrosion and wear resistance. This study employed stir casting technology to fabricate a CuAlZnSn equiatomic alloy, focussing on structural strengthening, polarization behaviour and resistance to wear. SEM and XRD were utilized to analyse the alloy’s structural and intermetallic phases. Corrosion and tribological properties were assessed using potentiodynamic polarization in 3.65% NaCl and a reciprocating sliding tribometer. Thermal stability and hardness were evaluated with a Thermo-gravimetric Analyzer and Vickers microindenter. The HEA (High-Entropy Alloy) 15 sample displayed unique phases, including copper precipitates, tin-rich regions and refined grain boundaries. Notable intermetallic peaks such as Cu4SnAlZn and Sn4AlZn were observed. The Cu35Al15Zn10Sn40 sample exhibited high Vickers hardness (491.3 μN/mm²) and indentation response (5305.1 MPa), indicating strong resistance to slip and dislocation. However, it showed inferior corrosion resistance (CR of 0.5580 mm/year and jcorr of 4.802E-05 A/cm²) due to micro-pores, despite its high Cu and Sn content. Remarkably, this sample demonstrated significant wear resistance.