Precipitation in a Cu–Cr–Zr–Mg alloy during aging

• Two different precipitation sequences in the Cu–Cr–Zr–Mg alloy are proposed.
• The changes in orientation relationship of the precipitates are presented.
• The roles of ordering and coherent interface of the precipitates are discussed.

The precipitation processes in a Cu-0.69Cr-0.10Zr-0.02Mg alloy aged at 450 °C and 550 °C have been investigated by transmission electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The precipitation sequence in this alloy aged at 450 °C is: supersaturated solid solution → Guinier–Preston zone (fcc Cr-rich phase) → ordered fcc Cr-rich phase → ordered bcc Cr-rich phase. The precipitation sequence in this alloy aged at 550 °C is: supersaturated solid solution → ordered fcc Cr-rich phase → ordered bcc Cr-rich phase. In the evolution of decomposition, the orientation relationship between the precipitates and the Cu matrix changes from cube-on-cube to Nishiyama–Wassermann orientation. The ordering of Cr-rich precipitates facilitates the formation of the bcc precipitates and promotes the development of Nishiyama–Wassermann orientation.