I could swear reading somewhere that aluminum bronze (an alloy of copper and aluminum) can form an intermetallic compound with mild steel, in which the bronze infiltrates the steel surface, especially under heavy pressure. At the time I thought how neat it would be to apply this in order to improve the tractive effort of railway locomotive drivers. It would eventually lead to the deposition of bronze on the rail surface, providing corrosion protection and enhanced electrical conductivity as well. Of course it would lead to the deplating of the wheel surface, perhaps over time necessitating the replacement of the aluminum bronze tires, which would normally be swaged on. But since the process would occur only at the molecular level, this effect might be minimal.
While bronze can certainly from a compound with iron, the properties of teh new alloy is likely to be poor, e.g. worse than either the bronze or the iron in strength or hardness. As well as you said it will only be a few nanometers thick and quickly wear off.
Thanks so much for your prompt response, confirming that such an intermetallic compound has not been just a figment of my imagination! I’ve gone blue in the face surfing for some insight into this phenomenon and its potential applications. The tractive effort enhancement using bronze tyres (I would like to think) would arise from the (seeming) additional friction between the two materials as a result of the migration of the bronze through the interface. Alumin(i)um bronze has I believe excellent ductility at the expense of diminished strength, just on its own, which would help it to deplate. Would you agree that, after migrating into the steel surface, the resultant compound might gain a kind of extra foothold extending far enough to provide the appearance of a greater ‘mew’? This additional leverage shouldn’t depend on the ductility of the bronze. Nor is this effect a measure of the resistance to sliding, which is the usual definition of friction. Thank you again.
Aluminium bronze has strengths and as-cast hardness akin to medium carbon steel, though perhaps less than work hardened manganese rail iron. So I am not sure of the ability to de-plate.
Could you clarify “mew”?
