Physical Chemistry Data of Some Alloys in a Cu–Al–Au Ternary System

Abstract

Since physical chemistry data were not available for a Cu–Al–Au ternary system, physical chemistry analysis of this system was carried out experimentally using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) measurements. The hardness, microhardness, and electrical conductivity as additional data of the investigated alloys in the Cu–Al–Au system were determined too. The shape memory effect, pseudoelasticity, biocompatibility, good resistance to corrosion and fatigue, and resistance to bending enable the application of Cu–Al–Au alloys to a large number of medical products, such as orthopedic and dental implants, products related to cardiovascular surgery, surgical instruments, etc. SEM-EDX analysis confirmed the existence of solid solutions based on copper, aluminum, and gold (Cu, Al, Au), β, ε, and γ phases, as well as intermetallic compounds AuAl2, Al2Cu, and AlCu. The characteristic temperatures of the phase transformation were determined by DTA. The results of hardness and microhardness showed that the highest values were measured in alloys whose composition included the γ phase.