Micro/nanostructure high strength and high conductivity CuCrZr alloy prepared through equal channel angular pressing and aging treatment

Severe plastic deformation (SPD) and aging treatment seriously affect the microstructure, precipitation phase distribute then seriously affect comprehensive properties of CuCrZr alloy. The microstructure, orientation, texture characteristics, and precipitated phase structure after equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) by route C deformation and aging treatment were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results show that, after ECAP the initial equiaxial crystal gradually transformed into fibrous structure along the extrusion direction, with the increasing strain, the texture undergoes a strong undulation, continuous twinning occurs within some oriented grains, with an initial {112}< 111 > copper texture that transformed to a stronger {110}< 001 > Goss texture. Aging treatment can intensify discontinuity distribution of nanoscale precipitation along grain boundaries; After 4 passes and aging at 450 celcius for 4 h the strength, hardness and conductivity reached to 577.2 MPa, 184.5Hv and 78.5%IACS, respectively, and showed a continuous increasing trend.

Automated summary

This study investigates the effects of severe plastic deformation (SPD) and aging treatment on the microstructure and properties of CuCrZr alloy. It is found that plastic deformation transforms the initial equiaxial crystals into a fibrous structure, and with increasing strain, the texture undergoes strong undulation. Aging treatment intensifies the distribution of nanoscale precipitation along grain boundaries. After 4 passes and aging treatment, the strength, hardness, and conductivity of the alloy continuously increase.