Effect of deformation and aging treatment on the microstructure and properties of Cu-0.45Cr-0.14Ti (wt.%) alloy

Abstract

The microstructure and properties of Cu-0.42Cr (wt.%) and Cu-0.45Cr-0.14Ti (wt.%) alloy subjected to cold rolling and aging treatment are investigated through tensile testing, electrical conductivity measurement, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Results show that the tensile strength of Cu-0.45Cr-0.14Ti (wt.%) alloy enhances as the degree of deformation increases, but the degree of deformation slightly influences electrical conductivity. When deformation is changed, electrical conductivity is basically unchanged. The good combination of strength and electrical conductivity, which reach 610 MPa and 55.4% IACS, respectively, can be obtained in the Cu-0.45Cr-0.14Ti (wt.%) alloy after 80% cold rolling and aging at 450 °C for 15 min. Ti inhibits the growth of the Cr precipitation phase and enhances the precipitation strengthening effect. Ti mainly exists in the matrix in the form of solute atoms, which do not form a separate lattice structure after aging treatment.