Study on the properties and microstructure of dispersion strengthened copper alloy deformed at high temperatures

The changes of flow stress, hardness and microstructure of the Cu-0.23vol%Al2O3 alloy in the high temperature plastic deformation process have been investigated. The differences of flow stress of this alloy compressed under different conditions are significant, yet, mainly including three different stages. The constitutive equation for its peak yield stress, strain rate and temperature was also established, which can evaluate its peak yield stress better. With the increasing of temperature and strain rate, the changes of hardness and microstructure also have its own uniqueness. The higher strain rate is favorable to the formation of fine subgrains with a clear subgrain boundary. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.