The research aimed at assessing the influence of alloying elements, such as Al, Si, Ni, Pb and Bi on the chosen alloys of Cu-Zn. Microstructures were examined with the use of optical and scanning microscopy with X-ray microanalysis. The properties of the received alloys were determined with regard to changes in the mechanical parameters, namely R m , A 5 , HB, also, machinability changes were assessed as well as proclivity to hot fracturing of Cu-Zn alloys with additives of lead and bismuth. The results indicate the possibility of obtaining very high mechanical properties: R m up to 700 MPa, hardness within the range of 130-180 HB and A 5 from 3 to 30%. Also, in the case of the researched alloys, the machining and hot fracturing results look promising. StreszczeniePodjęte badania miały na celu określenie oddziaływania dodatków stopowych, takich jak: Al, Si, Ni, Pb i Bi w wybranych stopach Cu-Zn. Przeprowadzono badania mikrostruktur z wykorzystaniem mikroskopii świetlnej oraz mikroskopii skaningowej z mikroanalizą rentgenowską. Określono właściwości otrzymanych stopów pod względem zmian takich parametrów mechanicznych jak: R m , A 5 , HB oraz poddano ocenie zmiany skrawalności i skłonności do pęknięć na gorąco stopów Cu-Zn z dodatkami ołowiu i bizmutu.Otrzymane wyniki wskazują na możliwości uzyskania stopów o bardzo wysokich właściwościach mechanicznych, takich jak: wytrzymałość na rozciąganie do 700 MPa, twardość w zakresie 130-180 HB oraz wydłużenie w zakresie 3-30%. Korzystnie przedstawiają się również wyniki oceny skrawalności oraz pęknięć na gorąco. Słowa kluczowe: stopy Cu-Zn, właściwości mechaniczne, właściwości technologiczne, dodatki stopowe

This preliminary study characterizes the bronze metalworking on a defensive settlement of the Lusatian culture in former Kamieniec (Chełmno land, Poland) as it is reflected through casting workshop recovered during recent excavations. Among ready products, the ones giving evidence of local metallurgy (e.g. casting moulds and main runners) were also identified. With the shrinkage cavities and dendritic microstructures revealed, the artifacts prove the implementing a casting method by the Lusatian culture metalworkers. The elemental composition indicates application of two main types of bronzes: Cu-Sn and Cu-Pb. Aside these main alloying additions, some natural impurities such as silver, arsenic, antimony and nickel were found which may be attributed to the origin of the ore and casting technology. The collection from Kamieniec was described in terms of its structure and composition. The investigations were made by means of the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (ED-XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with an energy dispersive Xray analysis system (EDS) and optical microscopy (OM). In order to fingerprint either local or non-local profile of the alloys, the ED-XRF data-set was statistically evaluated using a factor analysis (FA).

Many traces of copper metallurgy, such as slag and other copper melts, can be found in the area of Lower Silesia. The tested material mainly consists of copper slag with different content of copper melts, being a semi product. The copper metallurgy remains, discovered during the research, undergo specialistic analyses, which will help better characterise the findings as well as contribute to documenting metallurgical processes in the historical bloomeries in Lower Silesia, and moreover to prepare further research in this field. The material coming from the area of Miedzianka, being the oldest and the longest working exploitation centre of copper ores and pollymetalic ores, is of special significance for the research. Mining activity in the area of Miedzianka took place as early as the beginning of the 14 th century, the first record from 1311 (Cuprifodina in montubus) is the oldest information concerning copper mining in Poland.