Effect of rolling and aging treatment on microstructure and properties for Cu-Cr-Zr alloy

Abstract

The effects of rolling with 30%, 60% and 90% deformation and aging treatment at 450℃ for 1 h on the microstructure and properties of Cu-1.0Cr-0.1Zr alloy were investigated by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), universal material testing machine, and eddy current metal conductivity instrument. The results show that the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of Cu-1.0Cr-0.1Zr alloy are significantly improved after proper cold deformation and aging treatment. The comprehensive performance are the best after 90% cold deformation+(450℃, 1 h) aging, and the tensile strength, yield strength, hardness, elongation and electrical conductivity are 411.7 MPa, 364.69 MPa, 127.6 HV, 25.72% and 63.7%IACS, respectively. From the microstructure analysis and theoretical calculation, it is known that the dispersion precipitation of the second phase is an important reason for the high strength of the aged alloy, simultaneously, the large amount of precipitation reduces the number of solutes in the conductive main body (Cu matrix), and then higher conductivity is obtained.