Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to examine what happened once strontium aluminate
(SrAl2O4) powder was mixed with copper (Cu) powder to enhance a phosphorescence and
tarnish resistance properties of the samples. The samples were fabricated by using the
compression molding technique and then sintered in argon atmosphere. Phosphorescence,
hardness, microstructure, tarnish resistance and XRD were studied. In the process of the
compression molding, the 4 samples of 100, 90, 80 and 70 percent by weight of copper
powder, were mixed with 0, 10, 20 and 30 percent by weight of strontium aluminate, and
called chronologically sample A (Cu100), B (Cu90), C (Cu80) and D (Cu70). Polyvinyl alcohol
(PVA) was used as a binder and mixed with copper and strontium aluminate powder to
produce the green specimens using a hydraulic machine. Then, the green samples were
sintered at 900 °C for one hour. Consequently, PVA was eliminated and the samples became
denser. After Vickers hardness testing, it was found that the hardness of sample A (30.5 HV) is
higher than that of sample B (12.84 HV). Furthermore, sample B, C and D containing strontium
aluminate were phosphorescent under ultraviolet at 517 nm. Sample D (Cu70) with the largest
amount of strontium aluminate has higher phosphorescence than sample B(Cu90). In sulfur
atmosphere, the tarnish resistance was found to be improved when strontium aluminate was
added into copper. The color changing of sample A(Cu100), which has no strontium aluminate,
was higher than that of sample B, C and D. Sample D(Cu70), containing the highest amount of
strontium aluminate, has the least color changing on its surface resulting in the resistance in
tarnishing. The analysis of composition of the samples with strontium aluminate addition in
several ratios could be 2 types of oxide compounds as follows: strontium aluminate oxide,
SrAl4O7 and tetra strontium tetra deca aluminum oxide (SrO)4(Al2O3)7.