Effect of thermomechanical treatment on mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of a CuCrZr alloy

Abstract

The CuCrZr alloy undergoes processes of precipitation during ageing. Besides precipitation hardening the strength is affected by cold deformation which is performed before and after ageing. The cold deformation (D1) before ageing accelerates the process of strength hardening, since it induces higher rate of precipitation from the saturated α-solid solution. Cold deformation (D2) after ageing primarily affects the alloy strength. In this paper the results of the effect of thermomechanical treatment on mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of a CuCrZr alloy are presented. The aim of the paper was to evaluate the most suitable combination of thermomechanical treatment and alloy properties.