Stress relaxation study of water atomized Cu–Cr–Zr powder alloys consolidated by inverse warm extrusion

Abstract

Stress relaxation testing in compression at high temperature was performed on Cu–Cr–Zr alloys produced by consolidation of water atomized powders. Precipitation and recrystallization were monitored during stress relaxation experiments carried out at an ageing temperature of 723 K. Pre-straining imposed to the Cu–Cr–Zr samples prior to stress relaxation testing resulted in reduced hardness compared to that reported for conventionally-aged alloys; it also resulted in shorter times for achieving maximum strengthening on ageing.