Structure and Mechanical Properties of Severely Deformed Cu-Cr-Zr Alloys Produced by Accumulative Roll-Bonding Process

Abstract

Aging behavior and mechanical properties of ultra fine grained Cu-Cr-Zr alloy sheet produced by accumulative roll bonding (ARB) process were investigated. A Cu-0.85Cr-0.07Zr (in mass%) alloy was solution treated and then cold-rolled at ambient temperature in the sheet of 1 mm thick. The sheets were heavily deformed by ARB process at ambient temperature up to 5 cycles. The grain size was reduced down to 210 nm and the fraction of high angle grain boundaries (HAGB’s) in the specimen after ARB process was 63%. The proof stress ( σ 0.2) and elongation were 540 MPa and 10%, respectively. Due to the aging treatment, a little grain growth took place (240 nm) and the fraction of HAGB’s was increased to 67%. The proof stress and elongation of the aged one increased to 605 MPa and 15%, respectively. It was noteworthy that the electrical conductivity remarkably increased from 35% to 79%IACS by the aging treatment. It was concluded that the aging treatment after ARB process enhanced not only the mechanical properties but also the electrical conductivity in the Cu-Cr-Zr alloys.