Publication

Abstract : The present review article evaluates the research and progress status of Cu–Ni–Sn-based spinodal alloys focussed on the methods and technologies implemented to enhance the properties of cast Cu–Ni–Sn alloys in industrial applications, particularly in components such as bearings, bushings, propellers, and impellers that find extensive demand in the marine and automotive industry. The review introduces the limitations of employing copper-beryllium alloys in the industry and discusses how Cu–Ni–Sn alloys represent a potential alternative. Subsequently, a comprehensive overview of spinodal decomposition is provided, considering the thermodynamic aspects and the Cu–Ni–Sn ternary phase diagram. The processing of Cu–Ni–Sn alloys via traditional casting is explored with an overview of various casting techniques and ensuing microstructure-property relationships. The two significant limitations, segregation during solidification and discontinuous precipitation, are highlighted. Strategies to overcome these limitations, such as precipitation hardening, spinodal decomposition, thermo-mechanical processing, and composition design (with the effect of varying elemental additions), are further elaborated. The review summarises novel processing routes encompassing mechanical alloying, rapid solidification, powder metallurgy, and spray deposition for developing spinodal Cu–Ni–Sn alloys. Finally, the progress in fabricating Cu–Ni–Sn spinodal alloys using additive manufacturing techniques such as selective laser melting is highlighted. There are published review papers on the wrought processing of Cu–Ni–Sn alloys, so this area has not been covered here. Overall, this review article is intended to streamline an overview of the characteristics and gradual developments from cast Cu–Ni–Sn spinodal alloys to additive manufacturing-based Cu–Ni–Sn spinodal alloys.