Casting and fabrication of high-damping manganese-copper alloys

/ by J.A. Rowland, C.E. Armantrout, and D.F. Walsh.

Rowland, J. A.
Washington, D.C. : U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, 1955.

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 LIBRARY
KAY 3 1 1955 SCIENCES
GEOLOGICAL
Technotow
Mioniia Institute of

Bureau of Mines
Report of Investigations 5127

CASTING AND FABRICATION OF HIGH-DAMPING

MANGANESE-COPPER ALLOYS

BY J. A. ROWLAND, C. E. ARMANTROUT, AND D. F. WALSH

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

3 9015 07853 6078

United States Department of the Interior — April 1955

CASTING AND FABRICATION OF HIGH-DAMPING
MANGANESE-COPPER ALLOYS

BY J. A. ROWLAND, C. E. ARMANTROUT, AND D. F. WALSH

Report of Investigations 5127

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Douglas McKay, Secretary
BUREAU OF MINES
J. J. Forbes, Director

Work on manuscript completed July 1954. The Bureau of Mines will welcome reprinting of this paper, provided

the following footnote acknowledgment is made: "Reprinted from Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations 5127."

April 1955
 CASTING AND FABRICATION OF HIGH-DAMPING
MANGANESE-COPPER ALLOYS

by

J. A. Rowland, \J C. E. Armantrout,*/ and D. F. Walsh!/

CONTENTS
Page
Introduction and summary 1
Acknowledgment 3
Melting and casting manganese-copper alloys 3
Melting furnaces and refractories 3
The charge 3
Melt conditioning , 3
Casting temperature k
The ingot mold k
Mechanical working of manganese -copper alloys 11
Heat treating manganese -copper alloys 17
Conclusions 20

ILLUSTRATIONS
Fig.
1. Manganese -copper alloy ingot
showing folds and
cold shuts 5
2. Transverse section of manganese-copper alloy in
got showing hot tear 6
3. Reproduction of gammagraph of ingot showing sec
ondary piping 7
k.-6. Center line fractures of ingots showing variation
in secondary piping with change of mold
dimensions 8-10
7.-9. Center line fractures of small] ingots showing vari
ation in secondary piping with change of mold
dimensions 12-1^
10. Hot-short fracture of manganese-copper alloy
ingot 15
11. Maximum hot -working temperature for manganese -
copper alloy ingots 16
12. Effect of composition on the damping capacity of
solution- treated manganese-copper alloys 18
13. Effect of composition on the mechanical proper
ties of solution-treated manganese- copper
alloys 18
Ik, Effect of composition on the damping capacity of
aged manganese -copper alloys 19
I5. Effect of composition on the mechanical proper
ties of aged manganese -copper alloys 19

T7 Physical metallurgist, Bureau of Mines, Rolla, Mo.

2/ Metallurgist, Bureau of Mines, Rolla, Mo.

Report of Investigations 5I27

 INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY

Manganese-copper alloys containing 60 percent or more electrolytic manganese

exhibit an unusual combination of high vibration damping capacity with good strength
properties. Properties of the pure alloys were first studied in the laboratories of
the Federal Bureau of Mines and have been described in a series of technical papers^/
published from 19^1-^9. The unusual characteristics of these manganese-copper alloys
attracted the attention of research metallurgists and several additional investi
gations have also been reported in the literature .£/ The engineer, also, was
attracted by the combination of high strength and high vibrational damping capacity
possessed by these alloys. A wide field of application in structural and machine
design was obvious. However, serious difficulties encountered in commercial fabrica
tion of structural or machine components from the alloys retarded attempts at their
practical utilization. For this reason the Federal Bureau of Mines, in cooperation
with the United States Navy, Bureau of Ships, undertook a program designed to develop
practical methods for fabricating a selected group of the high-damping alloys . It
is the purpose of this paper to summarize a part of that investigation in a form
suitable for use by the metallurgist interested in commercial fabrication of the
alloys .

T7 Dean, R. S., Electrolytic Manganese and Its Alloys: Bureau of Mines Rept . of
Investigations 3580, 19^1, 58 pp.;
Dean, R. S., and Anderson, C. T., The Alloys of Manganese and Copper, Electrical
Resistance: Trans. ASM, vol. 29, 19^1, 788-801;
Dean, R. S., and Anerson, C. T., The Alloys of Manganese and Copper, Hardening by
Cold Work and Heat Treatment: Trans. ASM, vol. 29, 19^1, 802-807;
Dean, R. S., Anderson, C. T., and Jacobs, J. H., The Alloys of Manganese and
Copper, Microstructure of the Alloys: Trans. ASM, vol. 29, 19^1, 88I-898;
Dean, R. S., and Potter, E. V., The Alloys of Manganese and Copper, Vibration
Damping Capacity: Trans. ASM, vol. 29 19^+1, ^02-^llj-;
Dean, R. S., Potter, E. V., Long, J
R., and Huber, R. W., Properties of Transi
tional Structures in Manganese -Copper Alloys: Trans. ASM, vol. 3^, 19^5, ^65-
500;
Dean, R. S., Potter, E. V., Long, J. R., Graham, T. R., and Hayes, E. T., The
Manganese-Copper Equilibrium System: Trans. ASM, vol. 3^, 19^5, kk3-k6k;
Dean, R. S., Potter, E. V., Huber, R. W., and Lukens, C. H., The Damping Capacity
of Manganese-Copper Alloys: Trans. ASM, vol. hO, 19^8, 355-380;
Dean, R. S , Potter, E. V., and Huber, R. W., Electrical Resistivity and Tempera
ture Coefficient of Resistance of Copper-Manganese Alloys: Trans. ASM, vol.
k0, 19U8, 355-380;
Potter, E. V., Lukens, C. H., and Huber, R. W., Transformation of Gamma Manganese
to Alpha Manganese: Trans. AIME, vol. 185, July 19^9, 399 -4-04 .
2/ Schulze, Alfred, A New Resistance Alloy of the Copper-Manganese Group: Metall.
No. 17-18, 19^8, 291-295;
Siefert, A. V., and Worrell, F. T., The Role of Tetragonal Twins in the Internal
Friction of Copper -Manganese Alloys: Jour. Appl. Phys., vol. 22, No. 10,
October 1951, 1257-1259;
Basinski, Z. S., and Christian, J. W., The Cubic -Tetragonal Transformation in
Manganese -Copper Alloys: Jour. Inst. Metals, vol. 80, 1951-52, 659-666.
 In addition to their exceptionally high vibration damping capacity the manganese-
copper alloys exhibit extreme values for many other properties. The thermal con
ductivity and emissivity are unusually low, whereas the thermal coefficient of ex
pansion and the solidification shrinkage are remarkably high. It should not be sur
prising, therefore, to find that usual casting procedures are not in any way suitable
for these alloys. However, in dealing with the manganese -copper alloys, the metal
lurgist has generally, and quite naturally, resorted to melting and casting practices
that are standard for other alloys . This tendency has been the chief pitfall in the
development of casting and fabrication methods for the high-damping manganese -copper
alloys. Because of their relatively narrow freezing range, 1/ shrinkage occurring
during solidification is concentrated in a central pipe of a volume commensurate with
the great solidification shrinkage typical of these alloys. If this shrinkage
occurred only as primary pipe in the upper portion of the ingot, corrective measures
would be simple and obvious; but the shrinkage problem is complicated by inherent
thermal characteristics of the alloys, which contribute strongly to the formation of
a region of secondary pipe. This secondary pipe is apparent only on radiographic ex
amination or on sectioning the ingot. Thus, this very serious ingot defect is gen
erally overlooked by metallurgist inexperienced with these particular alloys until
it is revealed by failure of the ingot during hot-working. The low thermal con
ductivity of solid manganese-copper alloys and the high viscosity and surface tension
of the liquid near its solidification point are the principal factors involved in
formation of this area of secondary pipe. Although these inherent characteristics
cannot be altered, their effects can be counteracted by using an ingot mold of suit
able design. Mold design, therefore, is a problem of primary importance in develop
ing a casting practice for the alloys. The problem has received considerable atten
tion, and a satisfactory solution is described in detail in this report.

The great chemical activity of manganese at melting temperatures also creates a

problem of considerable importance in developing a melting and casting practice for
these alloys .

In the molten state manganese-copper alloys oxidize readily, forming heavy,

brittle surface films, which are easily entrapped during casting. These entrapped
films cause serious defects and, when present in appreciable amount, render the ingot
useless for fabrication. Suitable additions of calcium, magnesium, or aluminium not
only alter the oxygen content of the melt but also change the oxide skin to a thin
tenuous form, which is more easily restrained from entering the ingot during casting.
An appropriate deoxidizing treatment is, thus, an essential step in casting manganese-
copper ingots for working.
Casting temperature also has a very substantial effect on the ingot quality.
The range of temperature for casting satisfactory ingots is relatively narrow. If
a temperature below that range is employed, the Ingot will be defective owing to
serious folds and oxide inclusions. If,
on the other hand, too high a temperature
is used, hot tears of considerable size develop during the solidification process.
Using the precautions generally observed in melting and casting any alloy, and
giving careful consideration to the essential requirements for deoxidation, casting
temperature control, and mold design, sound ingots of manganese -copper alloys have
been cast. When such ingots are available, the remaining steps in fabricating the
alloys become relatively simple. Alloys of the compositions most suitable for high-
damping applications have a wide hot-working range and, after initial reductions, can
be cold-worked as much as 60 percent without difficulty. Thus, the problem of fab
ricating the manganese-copper high-damping alloys is largely one of employing a suit
able procedure for melting and casting sound ingots. Therefore, melting and casting
practice must receive the first and most detailed consideration in developing a
fabrication procedure.

37 American Society for Metals, Copper-Manganese Phase Diagram: Metals Handbook,

19kB, p. 1198.
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Acknowledgment is to the United States Navy, Bureau of Ships, which

made
sponsored a cooperative agreement for the investigation of high-damping manganese -
copper alloys for use as machine components .

MELTING AND CASTING MANGANESE- COPPER ALLOYS

Melting Furnaces and Refractories

Temperatures over 1,^50° C. (2,640° F.) are required to melt the manganese-
copper alloys for casting. Usually either the arc furnace or Induction furnace is
used to obtain such temperatures. Although many types of impurities can be tolerated
in relatively large amounts in the manganese -copper alloys, carbon has a substantial
effect on both mechanical properties and damping capacity. Therefore, the induction
furnace is to be preferred over the arc furnace for the melting. However, carbon
pickup can be held to a minimum and the alloy can be melted very satisfactorily in
the indirect-arc furnace if
a heavy protective flux cover consisting of 50 percent
borax, 25 percent sodium carbonate, and 25 percent calcium carbonate is maintained
over the charge during the entire melting operation. No flux is required when the
alloys are melted in an induction furnace.

Alundum crucibles or furnace linings give the most consistent service with
manganese-copper alloys, but sillimanite or magnesia can be used for this purpose.
Chrome oxide has excellent resistance to erosion by the molten alloys, and refrac
tories of this material should be used wherever washing is encountered. The chrome
ore refractories are particularly useful in making pouring cups or basins .

The Charge

When charges are made up entirely of virgin metals, it is good practice to melt
the copper first and then add the manganese, which is necessarily in the form of
cathode chips, gradually to the molten pool, shoving it well under the surface of
the copper to avoid excessive oxidation.

Manganese -copper scrap amounting to ^0or even 50 percent of the total charge
can be used when available without a serious buildup in impurities, provided the
scrap is free from excessive contamination. The scrap, of course, can be melted
with the copper to form a pool of metal for the addition of manganese chips.

Melt Conditioning

Calcium is the effective conditioner for these alloys. Additions amounting

most
to approximately percent of the charge are generally sufficient.
0 .k The conditioner
should be added in increments of l/5 to l/k of the total addition. These additions
should be plunged well under the surface of the melt at intervals of 1 or 2 minutes
during the last stages of melting. When using an induction furnace, the skins and
heavy dross that form on top of the melt should be removed at intervals during the
conditioning treatment and shortly before the heat is poured the surface of the melt
should be cleaned completely to permit formation of a final continuous oxide film.
When using the indirect arc furnace, the melt Is conditioned in the ladle. In pour
ing the melt the usual precautions for restraining oxide skins and dross should be
followed.
 Either magnesium or aluminum can be substituted for the calcium. Magnesium,
when properly used, is as effective as calcium, but extreme care is required in its
use. Magnesium additions must be made in a greater number of very small portions,
which must be plunged well under the surface of the melt . To insure adequate de-
oxidation, magnesium additions amounting to approximately 0.6 percent of the charge
are required. Unless these additions are made with the utmost care a substantial
portion of the magnesium will be lost by volatilization. Because of the explosive
rate at which the magnesium additions vaporize, the hazards associated with any of
the conditioning treatments are greatest in the case of magnesium.

Aluminum gives less consistent results than either magnesium or calcium.

Apparently the optimum addition of aluminum varies markedly with oxygen content of
the melt. In general, beneficial results can be expected from additions of 0.4 to
0.6 percent aluminum. With additions of more than 0.6 percent, entrapment of oxide
skins and dross becomes a serious problem. Additions of less than 0.2 percent have
no perceptible effect on ingot quality.

Casting Temperature

The manganese-copper alloys have a casting range of approximately 40° C .

(7O0 F.). The optimum casting temperature for a 75- to 80-percent manganese alloy
is 1,1+25° C. (2,600° F.). At casting temperatures below 1,415° C. (2,580° F.) cold
shuts or folds are encountered. An example of this condition is shown in figure 1.
These defects generally render the ingot useless for hot working. Above 1,455° C.
(2,650° F.) the Ingots frequently develop serious hot tears, which remain unwelded
and cause failure during forging. One of these hot tears is shown in figure 2, a
photograph of a transverse section from an ingot cast at 1,470° C. (2,680° F.).
This hot tear originated approximately 1 Inch below the riser and extended as a
long, narrow crack on a plane through the center of the ingot to a depth of 5 01* 6
inches. These hot tears have never been encountered in ingots cast at temperatures
belov 1,440° c, (2,625° *"•)•

The Ingot Mold

The physical characteristics tending to produce secondary piping are particularly

strong in the manganese-copper alloys . Ingots cast in molds of the usual design
develop extremely large shrinkage cavities in the central portion. These cavities
have an irregular surface, which follows the contour of the surrounding dendrites and
contains a large proportion of the nonmetallic inclusions. When the pipe is of con
siderable size, it can be revealed, as In figure 3> by a radiograph. The shrinkage
shown in this figure consists of a relatively large, roughly columnar space along the
vertical axis with filaments of shrinkage radiating in all directions .
When the cross section of the shrinkage voids is less than 2 percent of the
ingot thickness, radiographic techniques are not sensitive enough to reveal the
cavity, which, however, remains the principal cause of failure when the ingot is
worked. Since secondary shrinkage is localized along the vertical axis of the ingot,
it can be revealed by fracturing the ingot along this axis. Shrinkage of any signi
ficant size is clearly evident as a dendritic pattern, which is generally discolored.
The discoloration varies from shades of brown to black, according to the type of
oxide present. Fractured sections from 3 ingots have been assembled in figures 4, 5,
and 6 to show the variation in secondary pipe with a change in mold dimension.
Ingots were cut transversely into disks about 3/4 inch thick; each disk was
notched with deep saw cuts on opposite sides and then broken under an impact load,
 M

Figure 1. - Manganese-copper alloy ingot showing folds

and cold shuts.
Figure 2. - Transverse section of manganese-copper alloy ingot showing
hot tears. (Secondary shrinkage also in evidence.)
Figure 3. - Reproduction of
gammagraph of ingot show
ing secondary piping.
8

.05

Figure 4. - Centerline fracture of ingot showing variation in

secondary piping with mold dimensions. Top di
ameter 5 in.; height 14 in.; taper 2.2°. Shrinkage
voids extending to great depth are represented by
dark areas in fracture surface of disks.
Figure 5. - Centerline fracture of ingot showing variation
in secondary piping with mold dimensions.
Top diameter 5 in.; height 12 in.; taper 2.2°.
Shrinkage voids are shown by dark areas.
10

Figure 6. - Centerline fracture of ingot showing no secondary

piping. Top diameter 5 in.; height 8 in.; taper 2.2°.
No shrinkage voids; dark areas near bottom of
disks are shadow effects.
 11

causing fracture across the disk between notches. As shown in the photographs, one-
half of disk is stacked in an order to represent the height of the ingot and
each
thus present a vertical centerline face revealing shrinkage distribution. The hot
top sections of the ingots are not shown in these photographs .

Depending on the mold design, secondary piping in manganese -copper ingots can
be reduced in volume until shrinkage occurs only as intermittent areas of porosity
or, with optimum mold proportions, until this shrinkage is completely eliminated and
central porosity is replaced by solid metal. These changes are evident in figures K
through 6. The ingots shown in these photographs were cast in big-end-up molds
having a taper of approximately 2.2 degrees from the vertical. The top diameter was
held constant at 5 inches for each of the ingots, but the height was decreased from
1^ to 12 and to 8 inches for the ingots shown in figures k, 5 , and 6, respectively.
In these photographs, the centralized shrinkage is apparent as dark irregular patches
The abrupt decrease in this area with decreasing height is plainly evident in these
three photographs . The severe secondary pipe occurring in the ingots of figures k
and 5 by an accumulation of nonmetallics on the surface. This
has been emphasized
accumulation completely precludes welding during forging or rolling, and the rough
surface, typical of a shrinkage cavity, promotes extensive rupture when ingots con
taining such cavities are forged. Centerline fractures of a second group of three
ingots are shown in figures 7j 8, and 9. These ingots are smaller in all dimensions
but show a similar reduction in pipe volume as the height of the ingot is reduced.
It is apparent, therefore, that the shrinkage volume is not controlled directly by
mold size. Additional tests on other groups of ingots of a wide
variety of sizes indicate that the factor directly affecting the pipe volume is the
ratio of mold diameter to mold height. As this ratio increase the shrinkage volume
decreases until, at a ratio of approximately 0.6 or higher, porosity in the ingot
proper is reduced to an insignificant quantity.

similar series of tests run on ingots with a taper of 1.1 degrees revealed
A
approximately the same relation between pipe volume and the ratio of mold diameter
to mold height. In this case also, a ratio of approximately 0.6 or better for mold
diameter to mold height was required to insure a sound ingot.

MECHANICAL WORKING MANGANESE-COPPER ALLOYS

The high-damping manganese-copper alloys can be hot-worked or cold-worked by

impact forging, press forging, rolling, or swaging. For cast alloys containing 75
to 85 percent manganese the maximum hot -working temperature is slightly above 850° C.
(l,560o F.) . Working the alloys at temperature above the maximum results in the
type of hot-short failure shown in figure 10.

The maximum hot-working temperature decreases at an increasing rate, as shown

in figure 11, as the manganese content of the alloy decreases from 75 "to 50 percent.
At 50 percent manganese the maximum temperature is approximately 700° C. (1,290° F.).
At these maximum working temperatures the alloys are somewhat more resistant to
working than are steels at their optimum hot-working temperatures, and this resist
ance increases rapidly as the temperature of working is lowered. Therefore, itIs
generally desirable to hot-work the alloys at or only slightly below the maximum
temperature. However, care must be taken to avoid any temperature much over the
maximum. This is particularly true when the alloys contain substantial amounts of
impurities. Iron, silicon, and many other common impurities depress the solidus
temperature to a marked degree and, if present in large quantities, may cause a type
of hot shortness. This is the most obvious effect of the impurities generally en
countered in manganese-copper alloys .
12

^ 1
p
M

I to

--40

0* =3=
-*#
Ji

-M X

o
M

01

Figure 7. - Centerline fracture of ingot showing variation in

secondary piping with mold dimensions. Top di
ameter 2 in.; height 8 in.; taper 1.1°. Shrinkage
voids are shown by dark areas.
Ik

<£>

tc

=40 CO

* —

01 =r

<i =

-CO QC

-25"=
-M

Figure 9. - Centerline fracture of ingot showing no

secondary piping. Top diameter 2 in.;
height 3 in.; taper 1.1°. No shrinkage
voids; dark areas along bottom of disks
are shadow effects.
 15

111
3 I ) 10

t
!
o
c

0
Q.
CL
o
u

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o
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en
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Q.
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r-
.292 70

60

o 60 70 80

Manganese, percent

Figure 11. - Maximum

hot-working temperature for manganese-copper alloy ingots.
 IT

After a reduction of k-0 percent or more by hot working, the alloys are quite
ductile but extremely tough. Eeductions of 60 percent or more by cold swaging or
cold rolling are possible. Cold-working, however, reduces damping capacity rapidly
and substantially. This capacity can, of course, be restored by a suitable heat
treatment .

HEAT-TREATING MANGANESE -COPPER ALLOYS

The most suitable compositions for high-damping , structural, or machine compo

nents contain from 60 to 80 percent manganese. Optimum properties In these alloys
are developed by heat treatment. Under equilibrium conditions at room temperature,
alloys in this composition range are a solid solution matrix with a dense precipi
tate of alpha manganese. The alloys, however, can be solution -treated by quenching
from a temperature above the alpha -gamma /gamma or beta -gamma /gamma phase boundary.:!/
As solution- treated, the alloys have a single-phase gamma solid solution structure.
The specific damping capacity of these solution-treated alloys, as it varies with
composition, is shown in figure 12. Similar curves for modulus of elasticity, yield
strength, tensile strength, elongation, and hardness are shown in figure 13. Refer
ence to figure 12 will show that the damping capacity of the solution-treated alloys
remains at a relatively low level as the manganese content increases up to approxi
mately 78 percent and then rises abruptly to a peak at approximately 82 percent man
ganese. As shown in figure 13, mechanical properties of the alloys are affected to a
much slighter degree by changes in composition. However, it Is evident that the de
sirable combination of high-damping capacity with good strength properties can be ob
tained in the solution-treated alloys only when manganese content approximates 80
percent.
Aging the solution-treated alloys at 375° (705° F.) to ^50° C. ( 840° F.) re
sults In gradual nucleation and subsequent growth of alpha manganese. In alloys
containing less than 78 percent manganese, the gamma solid solution also transforms
from a cubic structure to a tetragonal structure. The solution-treated alloys con
taining more than 78 percent manganese have this tetrangonal structure after solu
tion treatment, and, since alloys containing less than 78 percent manganese develop
increased vibrational damping capacity as the gamma solid solution transforms to the
tetrangonal form, it seems probable that this crystal form and the unusually high
damping capacity of these alloys are closely associated. Variation in damping cap
acity of aged alloys with manganese content is shown in figure Ik . Maximum damping
capacity is developed in the alloys at an aging temperature of ^50° C. (8^0° F.).
Comparison of figure lk with figure 12 will show the marked change in damping cap
acity resulting from a 2-hour aging treatment. The mechanical properties obtained
by this aging treatment are shown in figure 15. Eeference to figures Ik and 15 will
show that an optimum combination of high damping capacity with high tensile strength
can be obtained in alloys containing from 60 to 80 percent manganese in the solution-
treated and aged condition. In this condition alloys have a vibration damping cap
acity of over 30 percent with a tensile strength of more than 100,000 p.s.i.
Grain size, as a factor affecting the properties of these alloys, is secondary
to manganese content in importance. Conventional methods of cold -working and anneal
ing can be used to control grain size. Alloys as quenched from solution treatment
temperatures show only slight variation in properties with grain size. In the aged
condition, alloys with coarse-grained structures show reduced tensile strength but
slightly improved damping capacity, especially those alloys of high manganese content
as aged at ^50° C.

57 American Society for Metals, Copper-Manganese Phase Diagram: Metals Handbook]

1948, p. 1198.
IB

30

25

.20

15

E 10

Damptng Cap acity

60 65 70 75 80
Manganese, percent

Figure 12. - Effect of composition on the clamping capacity of solution-

treated manganese-copper alloys (5,000 p. s.i. stress level).
(Idealized curves.)

70
Tensile Strength

60

ct
o
o 50
■
Modulus of
Elasticity
-
— 15 *
CL
— 10

o.
c 40
<u
— - 5

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

30 —

45
Elongation
S 40
u
a> m
Q- 35 60 _r
Hardness w
55 1
o
50 *
1 1 1 1
60 65 70 75 80
Manganese, percent

Figure 13. - Effect of composition on the mechanical properties of solution-

treated manganese-copper alloys. (Idealized curves.)
 19

Damp ng Capacity

30

25

20

o 15

60 65 70 75 80
Manganese, percent

Figure 14. Effect of composition on the damping capacity of aged

manganese-copper alloys. (5,000 p.s.i. stress level.)
Aging treatment: 2 hours at 450° C. (Idealized curves.)

115 —
Tensile Strength
105

§O, 95
Modulus
Elasticity
of

- 85 10

I
x:
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
75
a>
£ 65

55

25 95 %
Elongation Hardness o
</)
20 90 ^

c I 5
a>
cj
I "0 80 o

60 65 70 75 80
Manganese, percent

Figure 15. - Effect of composition on the mechanical properties of aged

manganese-copper alloys. Aging treatment: 2 hours at 450°
C. (Idealized curves.)
20

CONCLUSIONS

Since this paper is intended primarily as a guide for commercial fabrication of

high-damping manganese -copper alloys, it describes procedures in terms general
enough to be applicable under the wide variety of conditions to be expected in vari
ous metallurgical establishments where this work might be undertaken. However, as
in the case of any other alloy, there are certain essential precautions that must be
taken if
the high-damping manganese-copper alloys are to be fabricated into satis
factory structural and machine components. The solubility of carbon in manganese-
copper alloys should be recognized and the detrimental effect of 0.05 percent or more
of this element should be guarded against. Calcium should be used as a conditioning
addition whenever possible. If it should be necessary to use either aluminum or mag
nesium as a substitute, additions must be made with due caution and after careful
experimentation to develop a practice adapted to the particular case. Mold design
is of first importance. Because of the extraordinary shrinkage characteristics of
the manganese -copper alloys, it is imperative that the mold and the hot top have
proportions that will compensate for the strong tendency toward secondary piping,
which is typical of all the high-damping compositions. A well- insulated hot top
having a volume equal to ^0 percent or more of the volume of the ingot itself is re
quired. The ingot mold should be a big-end-up type with a taper of not less than
1.1°. With a mold taper 1.1° to 2.2°, the ratio of the mold diameter at the top of
the ingot to the mold height must be greater than 0.5 if serious internal shrinkage
defects are to be avoided.

No unusual difficulties are encountered in hot- or cold-working sound ingots.

The alloys are somewhat more resistant to deformation than commercial steels, but any
increase of the hot -working temperature above the established maximum should be care
fully avoided. With proper consideration for this hot-working limitation the entire
series of alloys can be fabricated according to the usual working practices without
difficulty.
The heat treatments required to develop optimum properties are also simple and
straightforward, consisting of a solution treatment followed by aging. With the
appropriate heat treatments, tensile strengths in excess of 100,000 p.s.i. can be
developed in alloys with vibration damping capacity of 30 to kO percent.

Int. - Bu. of Mines, Pgh., Pa. 663O