Part VIII – August 1968 – Communications - The Effect of a Stable Phase on the Martensitic Transformation

QUENCHED, bcc p brass, P1, transforms to a mar-tensitic phase, when it is cooled below room temperature.' This transformation can be followed using resistance measurements since the resistivity of the martensitic phase is considerably larger than that of the parent phase, Fig. 1.' phillips3 first reported that, when Cu-Zn alloys containing between 37.0 and 39.0 wt pct Zn were quenched from the 0 region to room temperature, variable amounts of a phase could be observed depending on the mode of quenching. If the quench occurs very rapidly, the a phase forms by a "massive transformation". The resultant phase has the same composition as the high-temperature P phase from which it was formed. If the quench is less severe, the alloy is retained largely in the p form; however, some a is formed by precipitation. In this case, a contains more copper than the high-temperature 0 phase from which it has formed. The a phase most probably does not undergo a transformation in the temperature range where p transforms to low-temperature martensite. This can be deduced from the Eesistivity-temperature relation which is linear in this temperature range, Fig. 2. The stable a phase which is present along with R. E. HUMMEL is Assistant Professor, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. J. W. KOGER, Junior Member AIME, formerly with University of Florida, is now with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn. Manuscript submitted December 13, 1967. IMD.