Microstructure and damping properties of MnCuNiFeCe alloy

Mn-Cu alloys could exhibit high damping ability and excellent mechanical properties after proper heat treatment. In order to reduce the influence of impurity elements on damping capacity of Mn-Cu alloys, rare element cerium (Ce) was added into MnCuNiFe alloys. It is indicated that the contents of C, S and Si which have adverse effects on the damping capacity decrease and the grains are refined with the Ce content increasing. The microstructure of the MnCuNiFeCe alloy was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The damping ability (tanδ) of the alloy was characterized by dynamical mechanical analyzer (DMA). It is found that the damping ability (tanδ) retains a very high level which is all above 0.05 from the temperature of −50 to 75 °C with the addition of Ce element. It is expected that the Ce alloying MnCuNiFe alloy with refined grains could find wide applications in the field of industry.