Hot workability and constitutive model of the Cu-Zr-Nd alloy

Hot deformation behavior of the Cu-Zr-Nd alloy was studied by using compressive tests in the temperature range of 550-900 °C and the strain rate range of 0.001-10 s−1 on the Gleeble-1500D thermo-mechanical simulator. The Cu-Zr-Nd alloy flow stress increased at higher strain rate and lower temperature. Based on the processing maps and microstructure, the optimal processing parameters for the Cu-Zr-Nd alloy are determined as 750-870 °C and 0.001-0.03 s−1. The addition of Nd can promote the dynamic recrystallization. A new constitutive model, which compensates for the strain rate, is established according to the Arrhenius-type equation. The Zener-Hollomon parameter was also modified to compensate for the strain rate. The flow stress predicted by the constitutive equation is consistent with the experimental flow stress.