Study of Properties and Structure of Silicon Bronze CuSi3Mn1 (C65500) Wire at Various Stages of Its Production by Continuous Casting and Subsequent Drawing

The structure and properties of CuSi3Mn1 (C65500) silicon bronze wire at various processing stages, including the upward continuous casting of a rod having a diameter (∅) of 8 mm and its subsequent multi-stage drawing with intermediate softening annealing up to a diameter of 4 mm, are studied. It has been established that during continuous casting, chemical interactions occur, leading to a hard crust sticking to the inner surface of the graphite die due to the presence of manganese in the alloy, which affects the stability of the casting process. An increase in casting stability is achieved by using a casting regime with an additional periodic dwell, which prevents a long-term hanging of the hardening crust from adhering to the surface of the graphite die. Furthermore, it was established that, following drawing and softening annealing, a significant change in the structure occurs, comprising the formation of twin grains instead of dendrites. The dispersion and the number of twin grains increase with a decrease in the wire diameter during the drawing process. The mechanical and bending tests of a wire of ∅4 mm showed that it complies with the standards, there being a significant plasticity margin. The initial cast rod having an increased diameter can be used in order to obtain a wire of a larger diameter that complies with the standards.