Railway Research Institute “VNIIZhT”, Moscow, Russia:
A. E. Mironov, Leading Specialist
I. S. Gershman, Chief Specialist, e-mail: isgershman@gmail.com
E. I. Gershman, Head of Department, e-mail: gershmanei@gmail.com

An analysis was conducted on microstructure and strength of experimental poured alloys of the Al – Sn – Pb – Cu – Si – Zn – Mg system in a thermally processed state. The influence of basic alloying elements (Sn, Pb, Mg, Zn, Cu, Si) and Fe impurity on the strength of alloys was demonstrated. The mechanical and tribotechnical properties of aluminium alloys were compared to properties of the antifriction bronze Br04C4C17 (Бр04Ц4С17). It was shown that five out of eight experimental alloys supersede bronze in terms of strength. The values of impact elasticity were higher in four out of eight alloys in comparison with bronze. The experimental alloys significantly supersede bronze in terms of score resistance, conformability and wear out a steel counterbody in a considerably lower degree. This is reached with complex alloying of aluminium matrix, the inclusion of a softly structured, tin and lead based component, the creation of hard, copper and aluminium based (Q-phase) solid inclusions, and the creation of a significant amount of tiny, silicon, iron and titanium based solid inclusions. A creation of multicomponent eutectics in interstitial atoms of aluminium grains was noted. Tin influences the properties of low- and medium-tin alloys in various ways. An overall tendency of increased strength through a higher concentration of tin in alloys, especially in medium-tin alloys, was observed. Magnesium demonstrated a tendency to reduction of strength through increasing its content. As regards other alloying elements, no significant influence on the strength of alloys was detected. The difference between lowand medium-tin alloys is related to the content of tin, and not magnesium. The alloying elements have a synergetic influence on properties of the alloys, including their strength. The possibility of exchanging the given bronze with the experimental alloys at production of monometallic sliding bearings was demonstrated. In this case, the overall strength of the bearing’s construction needs to be taken into account. However, it is not recommended to focus on a high solidity of antifriction alloys as their increased solidity may lead to catastrophic wear of a steel counterbody.
Our work was carried out with the support of the grants of Russian Science Foundation No. 14-19-01033п (properties of aluminium alloys), 15-19-00217 (properties of bronze and influence of copper).

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