Effect of prior cold work on age hardening of Cu–3Ti–1Cr alloy

The influence of 50%, 75% and 90% cold work on the age hardening behavior of Cu–3Ti–1Cr alloy has been investigated by hardness and tensile tests, and light optical and transmission electron microscopy. Hardness increased from 118 Hv in the solution-treated condition to 373 Hv after 90% cold work and peak aging. Cold deformation reduced the peak aging time and temperature of the alloy. The yield strength and ultimate tensile strength reached a maximum of 1090 and 1110 MPa, respectively, following 90% deformation and peak aging. The microstructure of the deformed alloy exhibited elongated grains and deformation twins. The maximum strength on peak aging was obtained due to precipitation of the ordered, metastable and coherent β′-Cu4Ti phase, in addition to high dislocation density and deformation twins. Over-aging resulted in decreases in hardness and strength due to the formation of incoherent and equilibrium β-Cu3Ti phase in the form of a cellular structure. However, the morphology of the discontinuous precipitation changed to a globular form on high deformation. The mechanical properties of Cu–3Ti–1Cr alloy are superior to those of Cu–2.7Ti, Cu–3Ti–1Cd and the commercial Cu–0.5Be–2.5Co alloys in the cold-worked and peak-aged condition.