Mechanical properties of precipitation strengthening Cu-base alloys highly deformed by ARB process

Abstract

The enhancement of strength of Cu-1.2wt%Ni-0.2wt%Be-0.1wt%Zr and Cu-1.4wt%Ni-0.25wt%P-0.1wt%Zr alloys has been tried by the combination of ARB process by 5 cycles and aging treatment at 350 to 450°C. The grain sizes of the alloys, severely deformed by 5-cycle ARB process, were refined down to about 0.4μm. The Cu-Ni-Be-Zr alloy, ARB-processed and peak-aged at 375°C, exhibited a tensile strength σu of 810MPa, an elongation εt of 9% up to failure and an electrical conductivity σ of 62%IACS. The Cu-Ni-P-Zr alloy, initially aged at 450°C, then ARB-processed and peak-aged at 400°C, had the values of σu=780MPa, εt =6% and σ=56%IACS. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.