Properties improvement and microstructure changes during thermomechanical treatment in sintered Cu-Au alloy

The changes in hardness, microhardness, electrical conductivity and microstructure of the sintered Cu-4%Au (mole fraction) alloy during thermomechanical treatment were studied. Following the primary strain hardening, an annealing of rolled alloy in the temperature range of 60-350 °C provided additional strengthening due to the anneal hardening effect. An increase in properties took place in two stages, and the best combination of properties was achieved in the alloy pre-rolled with 40% reduction after annealing at 260 °C. Significant microstructural changes followed the changes of properties in the course of the thermomechanical treatment.