Abnormal grain growth in alumina dispersion-strengthened copper produced by an internal oxidation process

Cu–2.7 vol.% Al2O3 (15 nm) composite was synthesized by an internal oxidation and hot extrusion process. The grain growth at elevated temperatures was studied and compared with extruded copper powder. Abnormal grain growth via a mechanism analogous to that of site-saturated phase transformation was observed. The critical grain size for the abnormal growth was determined to be 1.1 ± 0.2 μm. The growth rate decreased with time until the grain size approaching a final value ranging from 7.9 to 13.3 μm depending on the temperature.