| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1689664 | Vacuum | 2016 | 8 Pages |
•Powder metallurgy can help to increase the strength of the Cu-Cr-Zr alloy due to the better distribution of the particles and lower porosity.•The Cr particles have two kinds of sizes, both can strengthen the alloy.•The model of aging kinetics during aging was established.
Powder metallurgy Cu–1Cr–0.65Zr (wt%) alloy was fabricated using Cu, Cr, and ZrH2 powders as initial materials by hot pressing at 950 °C for 4 h under 27.7 MPa. Microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Mechanical and electrical properties were also analyzed. It was found that an appropriate heating treatment could result in the formation of fine and homogeneously dispersed coherent nano-precipitates, relative to Cr phase with BCC structure and Cu5Zr.The aging treatment induced the first increase and then decrease of hardness with the prolongation of aging time. The highest hardness of 141 HV was achieved when aging at 450 °C for 4 h, following the strength of 397 MPa with an elongation of 23%. However, the electrical conductivity was only 78.3% IACS (International Annealing Copper Standard). It was determined that the effect of Cr particles on strength was more important than that of Cu5Zr.
