Systems Design Approach to Low-Cost Coinage Materials

Published

June 20, 2018

Author(s)

Eric Lass, Mark R. Stoudt, Carelyn E. Campbell

Abstract

A system design approach using an Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) was used to design three new low-cost seamless replacement coinage alloys to reduce the raw material of the current US coinage alloys. Maintaining compatibility with current coinage materials required matching the currently used alloy properties of yield strength, work-hardening behavior, electrical conductivity, color, corrosion resistance and wear resistance. In addition, the design alloys were required to use current production processes. CALPHAD-based models for electrical conductivity and color were developed to integrate into the system design approach. Three prototype alloys were designed, produced and characterized. The design process highlighted the trade-off between minimizing the raw material costs and achieving the desired color properties. Characterization of the three prototype alloys showed good agreement with the design goals.

Citation

Integrating Materials and Manufacturing Innovation

Volume

8

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

DOI Link

Keywords

materials design, CALPHAD, Cu-Ni-Zn, coinage alloy

Citation

Lass, E. , Stoudt, M. and Campbell, C. (2018), Systems Design Approach to Low-Cost Coinage Materials, Integrating Materials and Manufacturing Innovation, [online], https://doi.org/10.1007/s40192-018-0110-2 (Accessed October 8, 2025)