Fatigue properties of ultra-fine grain Cu-Cr alloy processed by equal-channel angular pressing

► The UFG Cu-Cr alloys processed by ECAP possess high strength and sufficient ductility. ► The ECAPed sample with UFG under strain controlled fatigue exhibited cyclic softening and lower fatigue limit compared to the unECAPed one. ► That cyclic softening of UFG Cu-Cr alloy is associated with some dislocation annihilation and the substructure recovery. ► Shear bands, microcracks and final fracture of UFG Cu-Cr fatigue samples occur predominantly along the shear plane corresponding to the last ECAP.