Fine and equiaxed grains is obtained in cast Cu-10Sn-2Zn-(1~3)Fe-0.5Co (wt.%) alloys.
Grain diameter was refined to 30~60 μm in Cu-10Sn-2Zn-(1.5~3)Fe-0.5Co (wt.%) alloys.
Refinement was induced by heterogeneous nucleation effect of iron-rich nanoparticles.
The effect is enhanced via increment of Fe content and limited by melt recalescence.
The study clarifies a potential pathway for fabricating bulk nanostructured alloys.