A Small Amount of Sn Addition Effect to Cu-15Zn Alloy on Structure, Microstructure, Hardness, Corrosion Resistance, and Antibacterial Activity
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Keywords:
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Brass, XRD, Optical Microscope, Vickers Hardness, Potentiostat
Abstract
Cu-15Zn alloy is widely used as a heat exchanger pipe. CuZn alloy was also used for cardiovascular implant applications. Several problems have been found in that alloy, such as less corrosion resistance. Therefore, various Sn (0.2, 0.7, 1, and 2 wt.%) were added to Cu-15Zn alloy in the present research to enhance corrosion resistance. Afterwards, the alloy was homogenized at 800 °C for 2 hours. Several investigations were conducted, such as structure, microstructure, hardness, corrosion resistance, and bacterial activity, using XRD, Optical microscope, Vickers hardness, Potentiostat equipment, and Digital camera. More Sn content leads to an increase in volume and a decrease in hardness. Presenting Sn in the alloy does not influence the phase in the alloy microstructure. The highest Sn content in the alloy promoted a more positive value of the alloy, indicating that the sample is more cathodic, probably due to the protective layer on the surface. A concentration of 1 wt.% Sn exhibits the most effective antibacterial effect probably due to the small crystallite size.
References
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Kang, Y., J. Park, D. W. Kim, H. Kim, and Y. C. Kang (2016). Controlling the Antibacterial Activity of CuSn Thin Films by Varying the Contents of Sn. Applied Surface Science, 389; 1012–1016
Kenevisi, M. S. and A. S. Nasab (2014). The Effect of Sn Addition and Sulfide Ion Concentration on the Corrosion Behavior of Cu-35Zn in NaCl Solution. International Journal of Materials Research, 105(2); 188–193
Kim, B., M. T. Brueggemeyer, W. J. Transue, Y. Park, J. Cho, M. A. Siegler, and K. D. Karlin (2023). Fenton-Like Chemistry by a Copper(I) Complex and H2O2 Relevant to Enzyme Peroxygenase C H Hydroxylation. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 145(21); 11735–11744
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Lv, Y., X. Lang, Q. Zhang, W. Liu, and Y. Liu (2022). Study on Corrosion Behavior of (CuZnMnNi)100-xSnx High-Entropy Brass Alloy in 5 Wt% NaCl Solution. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 921; 166051
Marichamy, S., M. Saravanan, M. Ravichandran, and G. Veerappan (2016). Parametric Optimization of Electrical Discharge Machining Process on ????–???? Brass Using Grey Relational Analysis. Journal of Materials Research, 31(16); 2531–2537
Monshi, A., M. R. Foroughi, M. R. Monshi, et al. (2012). Modified Scherrer Equation to Estimate More Accurately Nano-Crystallite Size Using XRD. World Journal of Nano Science and Engineering, 2(3); 154–160
Moustafa, M., I. Ahmed, M. Moustafa, and A. Ayoub (2016). Effect of Replacement of Lead by Tin on The Properties of Yellow Brass (Cu-Zn) Alloy. J. Basic Environ. Sci, 3; 107–111
Nyong, A. E., G. Udoh, J. J. Awaka-Ama, E. W. Nsi, and P. K. Rohatgi (2022). A Study of the Morphological Changes and the Growth Kinetics of the Oxides Formed by the High Temperature Oxidation of Cu-32.02% Zn-2.30% Pb Brass. Materials Research, 25; e20210173
O’Gorman, J. and H. Humphreys (2012). Application of Copper to Prevent and Control Infection. Where Are We Now? Journal of Hospital Infection, 81(4); 217–223
Rajabi, Z. and H. Doostmohammadi (2018). Effect of Addition of Tin on the Microstructure and Machinability of ????-Brass. Materials Science and Technology, 34(10); 1218–1227
Selvinsimpson, S., P. Gnanamozhi, V. Pandiyan, M. Govindasamy, M. A. Habila, N. AlMasoud, and Y. Chen (2021). Synergetic Effect of Sn Doped ZnO Nanoparticles Synthesized Via Ultrasonication Technique and Its Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Activity. Environmental Research, 197; 111115
Shahriyari, F., M. H. Shaeri, A. Dashti, Z. Zarei, M. T. Noghani, J. H. Cho, and F. Djavanroodi (2022). Evolution of Mechanical Properties, Microstructure and Texture of Various Brass Alloys Processed by Multi-Directional Forging. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 831; 142149
Shamaki, A. E., H. Y. Zahran, and A. F. Abd El-Rehim (2023). Effect of Sn Addition on the Microstructure and Age-Hardening Response of a Zn-4Cu Alloy. Crystals, 13(12); 1635
Shi, D., Q. Liu, Z. Zhu, J. Sun, and B. Wang (2014). Experimental Study of the Relationships Between the Spectral Emissivity of Brass and the Temperature in the Oxidizing Environment. Infrared Physics and Technology, 64; 119–124
Si, Y. (2018). Research on Hardness and Tensile Properties of A390 Alloy With Tin Addition. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, volume 322, page 022038
Syamsuir, F. B. Susetyo, B. Soegijono, S. D. Yudanto, Basori, M. K. Ajiriyanto, and C. Rosyidan (2023). Rotating-Magnetic-Field-Assisted Electrodeposition of Copper for Ambulance Medical Equipment. Automotive Experiences, 6(2); 290–302
Tang, Z., J. Niu, H. Huang, H. Zhang, J. Pei, J. Ou, and G. Yuan (2017). Potential Biodegradable Zn-Cu Binary Alloys Developed for Cardiovascular Implant Applications. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 72; 182–191
Varzi, A., L. Mattarozzi, S. Cattarin, P. Guerriero, and S. Passerini (2018). 3D Porous Cu–Zn Alloys as Alternative Anode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries With Superior Low T Performance. Advanced Energy Materials, 8(1); 1–11
Villapún, V. M., L. G. Dover, A. Cross, and S. González (2016). Antibacterial Metallic Touch Surfaces. Materials, 9(9); 1–23
Wu, Z., H. Zhang, K. Feng, H. Yan, H. Song, C. Luo, and Z. Hu (2024). Consistency of In-Situ Brass Corrosion in HCl Solution Image Fluctuations and Electrochemical Potential Noise Revealed Through NARX Neural Network. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 29; 2279–2292
Xu, Y., K. Zhang, Z. Tian, R. Tong, K. Yu, and Y. Liu (2022). Comparison Research on Spectral Emissivity of Three Copper Alloys During Oxidation. Infrared Physics and Technology, 126; 104344
Yasuyuki, M., K. Kunihiro, S. Kurissery, N. Kanavillil, Y. Sato, and Y. Kikuchi (2010). Antibacterial Properties of Nine Pure Metals: A Laboratory Study Using Staphylococcus Aureus and Escherichia Coli. Biofouling, 26(7); 851–858
Ahmad, Z. (2006). Principles of Corrosion Engineering and Corrosion Control. Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, United Kingdom, 1st edition
Al-Fadhalah, K. J., M. A. Rafeeq, and N. Thomas (2021). Microstructure and Texture Development in Thermomechanically Processed Leaded Brass. Metals, 11(7); 998
Alam, M. A., H. H. Ya, A. Ahmad, M. Yusuf, M. Azeem, and F. Masood (2021). Influence of Aluminum Addition on the Mechanical Properties of Brass/Al Composites Fabricated by Stir Casting. Materials Today: Proceedings, 48; 811–814
Alaneme, K. K. and E. A. Okotete (2016). Reconciling Viability and Cost-Effective Shape Memory Alloy Options–A Review of Copper and Iron Based Shape Memory Metallic Systems. Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal, 19(3); 1582–1592
Altaf, F., R. Qureshi, A. Yaqub, and S. Ahmed (2019). Electrochemistry of Corrosion Mitigation of Brasses by Azoles in Basic Medium. Chemical Papers, 73(5); 1221–1235
Ashmawy, A. M., R. Said, I. A. Naguib, B. Yao, and M. A. Bedair (2022). Anticorrosion Study for Brass Alloys in Heat Exchangers During Acid Cleaning Using Novel Gemini Surfactants Based on Benzalkonium Tetrafluoroborate. ACS Omega, 7(21); 17849–17860
Azam, A., A. S. Ahmed, M. Oves, M. S. Khan, and A. Memic (2012). Size-Dependent Antimicrobial Properties of CuO Nanoparticles Against Gram-Positive and -Negative Bacterial Strains. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 7; 3527–3535
Babouri, L., K. Belmokre, A. Kabir, A. Abdelouas, R. Khettabi, and Y. El Mendili (2019). Microstructure and Crystallographic Properties of Cu77Zn21 Alloy Under the Effect of Heat Treatment. Materials at High Temperatures, 36(2); 165–172
Basori, I., I. Angela, D. Jendra, and B. T. Sofyan (2018). Deformation Characteristics and Texture Development of Bi-Added Cu-29Zn Alloys. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 378(1); 012015
Basori, I., N. B. Sinaga, M. S. Ponco, Y. Sari, and S. T. Dwiyati (2024). Investigation of Aluminum Addition on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cu-31Zn-0.1Mn-xAl Alloys. AIP Conference Proceedings, 3116(1); 1–6
Bhaskar, S. P. and B. R. Jagirdar (2017). A Journey From Bulk Brass to Nanobrass: A Comprehensive Study Showing Structural Evolution of Various Cu/Zn Bimetallic Nanophases From the Vaporization of Brass. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 694; 581–595
Chuaiphan, W., L. Srijaroenpramong, and D. Pinpradub (2013). The Effect of Tin and Heat Treatment in Brass on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties for Solving the Cracking of Nut and Bolt. Applied Mechanics and Materials, 389; 237–244
Didenko, L. P., T. V. Dorofeeva, L. A. Sementsova, P. E. Chizhov, E. I. Knerel’man, and G. I. Davydova (2018). The Dehydrogenation of Propane on Platinum–Tin Glass-Fiber Woven Catalysts. Kinetics and Catalysis, 59(4); 472–480
Ezequiel, M., I. Proriol Serre, T. Auger, E. Héripré, Z. Hadjem-Hamouche, and L. Perriere (2024). The Liquid Metal Embrittlement of a Reactive System at Room Temperature: ????-Brasses in Contact With the Liquid Eutectic Ga-In. Engineering Failure Analysis, 164; 108694
Heidarzadeh, A., M. Javidani, and L. St-Georges (2022). Crystallographic Orientation Relationship Between ???? and ???? Phases During Non-Equilibrium Heat Treatment of Cu-37 Wt. % Zn Alloy. Crystals, 12(1); 97
Hendrawan, C. N., A. Setyani, D. R. K. Pertiwi, and B. T. Sofyan (2021). Effect of 9 wt% Mn Addition on Cold Rolling and Annealing Behaviour of Cu-31Zn Alloy. Materials Today: Proceedings, 46; 3346–3351
Jan, T., J. Iqbal, M. Ismail, M. Zakaullah, S. Haider Naqvi, and N. Badshah (2013). Sn Doping Induced Enhancement in the Activity of ZnO Nanostructures Against Antibiotic Resistant S. Aureus Bacteria. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 8; 3679–3687
Johansson, J., P. Alm, R. M’Saoubi, P. Malmberg, J. E. Ståhl, and V. Bushlya (2022). On the Function of Lead (Pb) in Machining Brass Alloys. International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 120(11–12); 7263–7275
Kang, Y., J. Park, D. W. Kim, H. Kim, and Y. C. Kang (2016). Controlling the Antibacterial Activity of CuSn Thin Films by Varying the Contents of Sn. Applied Surface Science, 389; 1012–1016
Kenevisi, M. S. and A. S. Nasab (2014). The Effect of Sn Addition and Sulfide Ion Concentration on the Corrosion Behavior of Cu-35Zn in NaCl Solution. International Journal of Materials Research, 105(2); 188–193
Kim, B., M. T. Brueggemeyer, W. J. Transue, Y. Park, J. Cho, M. A. Siegler, and K. D. Karlin (2023). Fenton-Like Chemistry by a Copper(I) Complex and H2O2 Relevant to Enzyme Peroxygenase C H Hydroxylation. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 145(21); 11735–11744
Larson, A. C. and R. B. V. Dreele (2004). General Structure Analysis System (GSAS), volume 748. University of California, Los Alamos
Lejda, K., J. Partyka, and J. F. Janik (2024). Thermogravimetric/Thermal–Mass Spectroscopy Insight Into Oxidation Propensity of Various Mechanochemically Made Kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 Nanopowders. Materials, 17(6); 1232
Lv, Y., X. Lang, Q. Zhang, W. Liu, and Y. Liu (2022). Study on Corrosion Behavior of (CuZnMnNi)100-xSnx High-Entropy Brass Alloy in 5 Wt% NaCl Solution. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 921; 166051
Marichamy, S., M. Saravanan, M. Ravichandran, and G. Veerappan (2016). Parametric Optimization of Electrical Discharge Machining Process on ????–???? Brass Using Grey Relational Analysis. Journal of Materials Research, 31(16); 2531–2537
Monshi, A., M. R. Foroughi, M. R. Monshi, et al. (2012). Modified Scherrer Equation to Estimate More Accurately Nano-Crystallite Size Using XRD. World Journal of Nano Science and Engineering, 2(3); 154–160
Moustafa, M., I. Ahmed, M. Moustafa, and A. Ayoub (2016). Effect of Replacement of Lead by Tin on The Properties of Yellow Brass (Cu-Zn) Alloy. J. Basic Environ. Sci, 3; 107–111
Nyong, A. E., G. Udoh, J. J. Awaka-Ama, E. W. Nsi, and P. K. Rohatgi (2022). A Study of the Morphological Changes and the Growth Kinetics of the Oxides Formed by the High Temperature Oxidation of Cu-32.02% Zn-2.30% Pb Brass. Materials Research, 25; e20210173
O’Gorman, J. and H. Humphreys (2012). Application of Copper to Prevent and Control Infection. Where Are We Now? Journal of Hospital Infection, 81(4); 217–223
Rajabi, Z. and H. Doostmohammadi (2018). Effect of Addition of Tin on the Microstructure and Machinability of ????-Brass. Materials Science and Technology, 34(10); 1218–1227
Selvinsimpson, S., P. Gnanamozhi, V. Pandiyan, M. Govindasamy, M. A. Habila, N. AlMasoud, and Y. Chen (2021). Synergetic Effect of Sn Doped ZnO Nanoparticles Synthesized Via Ultrasonication Technique and Its Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Activity. Environmental Research, 197; 111115
Shahriyari, F., M. H. Shaeri, A. Dashti, Z. Zarei, M. T. Noghani, J. H. Cho, and F. Djavanroodi (2022). Evolution of Mechanical Properties, Microstructure and Texture of Various Brass Alloys Processed by Multi-Directional Forging. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 831; 142149
Shamaki, A. E., H. Y. Zahran, and A. F. Abd El-Rehim (2023). Effect of Sn Addition on the Microstructure and Age-Hardening Response of a Zn-4Cu Alloy. Crystals, 13(12); 1635
Shi, D., Q. Liu, Z. Zhu, J. Sun, and B. Wang (2014). Experimental Study of the Relationships Between the Spectral Emissivity of Brass and the Temperature in the Oxidizing Environment. Infrared Physics and Technology, 64; 119–124
Si, Y. (2018). Research on Hardness and Tensile Properties of A390 Alloy With Tin Addition. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, volume 322, page 022038
Syamsuir, F. B. Susetyo, B. Soegijono, S. D. Yudanto, Basori, M. K. Ajiriyanto, and C. Rosyidan (2023). Rotating-Magnetic-Field-Assisted Electrodeposition of Copper for Ambulance Medical Equipment. Automotive Experiences, 6(2); 290–302
Tang, Z., J. Niu, H. Huang, H. Zhang, J. Pei, J. Ou, and G. Yuan (2017). Potential Biodegradable Zn-Cu Binary Alloys Developed for Cardiovascular Implant Applications. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 72; 182–191
Varzi, A., L. Mattarozzi, S. Cattarin, P. Guerriero, and S. Passerini (2018). 3D Porous Cu–Zn Alloys as Alternative Anode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries With Superior Low T Performance. Advanced Energy Materials, 8(1); 1–11
Villapún, V. M., L. G. Dover, A. Cross, and S. González (2016). Antibacterial Metallic Touch Surfaces. Materials, 9(9); 1–23
Wu, Z., H. Zhang, K. Feng, H. Yan, H. Song, C. Luo, and Z. Hu (2024). Consistency of In-Situ Brass Corrosion in HCl Solution Image Fluctuations and Electrochemical Potential Noise Revealed Through NARX Neural Network. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 29; 2279–2292
Xu, Y., K. Zhang, Z. Tian, R. Tong, K. Yu, and Y. Liu (2022). Comparison Research on Spectral Emissivity of Three Copper Alloys During Oxidation. Infrared Physics and Technology, 126; 104344
Yasuyuki, M., K. Kunihiro, S. Kurissery, N. Kanavillil, Y. Sato, and Y. Kikuchi (2010). Antibacterial Properties of Nine Pure Metals: A Laboratory Study Using Staphylococcus Aureus and Escherichia Coli. Biofouling, 26(7); 851–858
Authors
Basori, I., Sari, Y. ., Prasetya, D. W. ., Susetyo, F. B. ., Alias, J. ., Budi, S. ., Yudanto, S. D. ., Hasbi, M. Y. ., Situmorang, E. U. M. ., & Edbert, D. . (2025). A Small Amount of Sn Addition Effect to Cu-15Zn Alloy on Structure, Microstructure, Hardness, Corrosion Resistance, and Antibacterial Activity. Science and Technology Indonesia, 10(2), 443–451. https://doi.org/10.26554/sti.2025.10.2.443-451
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