Mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of heavily cold-rolled Cu100-xZrx alloys (x = 0-8)

Abstract

The mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of Cu 100-xZrx (x = 0-8 at%) alloys were examined, whereby the alloys were prepared by casting levitation-melted alloys into a pure copper die and then subsequently cold rolled to a thickness of 200 μm except for the alloys where x = 7 and 8. The ultimate tensile strength (σUTS), 0.2% proof strength (σ-0.2) and Vickers hardness (Hv) of the prepared Cu100-xZrx alloys increase linearly with x, elongation εp is almost independent of x and the electric conductivity (%IACS) decreases when the Zr concentration x increases. The highest values of σUTS, σ0.2, εp and Hv for the Cu 100-xZrx alloys are 1200 MPa, 800 MPa, 3% and 290, respectively, at x = 6 and its electrical conductivity is 35%IACS. © 2005 The Japan Institute of Metals.