The influence of aging on the microstructure and properties of UFG Cu-0.5%Cr alloy obtained by equal channel angular pressing and cold rolling

Abstract

Τhis paper presents the results of the study on the effect of aging on the electrical conductivity, hardness and microstructure of the Cu-0.5Cr alloy (wt. %). The phase transformation curves were also constructed and analysed, the equations of phase transformation kinetics were determined. Based on the analysis of the kinetic curves, it was found that preliminary equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) before rolling leads to a significant acceleration of solid solution decomposition during aging. It is shown that the best set of properties is achieved in samples produced by ECAP followed by cold rolling (CR) and aging at 425 °C for 40 min with electrical conductivity 76% IACS, hardness 160 HV.