Effect of Cerium and Lanthanum Additives on the Phase Composition of the Copper-Nickel Alloys

An experimental study of the phase composition for nine samples of the Cu–Ni–Ce–La alloys with different content of components was carried out. The nickel concentration in the experimental samples varies from 3 to 40 wt. %, the sum of cerium and lanthanum concentrations was not exceed 7 wt. %. Alloys samples of the system Cu–Ni–Ce–La were studied using scanning electron microscopy and microprobe analysis, as well as X-ray analysis. Also, Vickers micro hardness was measured on the cross sections of the experimental samples. In this work, the conditions of intermetallic compounds formation in the as-cast samples were studied. The results of the work can be used for the technological processes analysis of copper and copper-based alloys production.