Structure and Properties of CuCr0.6 Alloy after Severe Plastic Deformation

Abstract

This paper focuses on the effect of rolling with cyclic movement of rolls (RCMR) on microstructure refinement, mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of CuCr0.6 alloy after applying different heat treatments (quenching and aging). It was found that the presence of second phase particles obtained during aging treatment has a significant effect on the formation of ultrafine grain (UFG) structure during the RCMR processing. The presence of high dislocation density inside subgrains and presence microshear bands are the marked features of the microstructure after aging at 500°C/2h and RCMR deformation. Whereas after aging at 700°C/24h and RCMR processing, fine precipitates were effective in inhibiting the grain/subgrain boundary motion. The RCMR processed alloy after aging at 500°C/2h shows high mechanical strength attributed to the high density of coherent precipitates and ultrafine grained structure. The RCMR processing induces a significant reduction of the electrical conductivity for samples at quenching state but for samples at aging state electrical conductivity was restored thanks to precipitation process.