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Achieving combined high strength and high conductivity in re-processed Cu-Cr alloy
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Achieving combined high strength and high conductivity in re-processed Cu-Cr alloy

Ayodele Olofinjana and K S Tan
Journal of Achievements in Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, Vol.35(1), pp.14-20
2009
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Abstract

Materials Engineering metallic alloys cu-alloys mechanical properties electrical properties aging precipitation hardening
Purpose: Precipitation hardening by nano-sized precipitates had proven to be the most adequate way to achieve the optimum combination for strength and conductivity in copper based alloys. However, precipitation strengthened Cu- alloys are limited to very dilute concentration thereby limiting the volume proportion hardening precipitates. In this work, we report the investigation of the reprocessing of higher Cr concentration Cu- based alloys via rapid solidification. Design/methodology/approach: The ingot alloys with Cr content up to 10 wt.% were prepared via semi-chilling of small rods before been cast into ribbon using chill block melt spinner. Thermal aging studies followed by conductivity and microhardness tests were performed to follow the HSHC properties. Findings: It is found that the rapid solidification in the as-cast ribbon imposed combined solution extension and ultra-refinement of Cr rich phases. X-ray diffraction evidences suggest that the solid solution extension was up to 6wt%Cr. Lattice parameters determined confirmed the many folds extension of solid solution of Cr in Cu. Thermal aging studies of the cast ribbons indicated that peak aging treatments occurred in about twenty minutes. Peak aged hardness ranged from about 200 to well over 300Hv. The maximum peak aged hardness of 380Hv was obtained for alloy containing 6wt.%Cr but with conductivity of about 50%IACS. The best combined strength/conductivity was obtained for 4wt.%Cr alloy with hardness of 350HV and conductivity of 80% IACS. The high strengths observed are attributed to the increased volume proportion of semi-coherent Cr rich nano-sized precipitates that evolved from the supersaturated solid solution of Cu-Cr that was achieved from the high cooling rates imposed by the ribbon casting process Research limitations/implications: The rapid overaging of the high Cr concentration Cu-Cr alloy is still a cause for concern in optimising the process for reaching peak HSHC properties. It is still important to investigate a microstructural design to slow or severely restrict the overaging process. Originality/value: The optimum HSHC property reported here is a rare combination of high strength (>350Hv ~ 900MPa) and conductivity (50 - 80% IACS) found in metallic alloys.

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