Magnetic Properties of BrB-2 Beryllium Bronze Aged under a Constant Magnetic Field

The work is devoted to the magnetic properties and microhardness of BrB-2 beryllium bronze. For the first time, the effect of the aging temperature and applied constant magnetic field on the aging of BrB-2 beryllium bronze is studied using transmission electron microscopy. The samples are kept for 0.33 h at a temperature of 800°С, then quenched by rapid immersion in water (20°С), and subjected to artificial aging at 250–500°С for 1 h under the applied constant magnetic field with a strength of 557.2 kA/m and without it. A negative magnetoelastic effect is found, increasing the microhardness of BrB-2 beryllium bronze up to ~38% of the initial value. The γ-CuBe strengthening phase is found to play an essential role in the formation of the strength properties of the alloy. The application of a constant magnetic field activates the aging process. Upon application of such a constant magnetic field, a tendency is detected for transition of the alloy from the diamagnetic state to the superparamagnetic one.