Effect of Aging Treatment on Mechanical Properties and Electrical Conductivity of Cu-5.7%Cr In Situ Composite Produced by Equal Channel Angular Pressing

Abstract

The effect of aging treatment on mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of Cu-5.7%Cr in situ composite produced by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) was investigated here. The rotation and spreading of Cr particles was observed in Cu-5.7%Cr alloy during the ECAP, resulting in long thin in situ filaments. The equiaxed grains of the Cu phase with an average size of 200 nm were developed after eight passes of ECAP. When aging at 400~450 °C for 1 h, Cu-5.7%Cr composite after ECAP shows the maximum microhardness, and the electrical conductivity is larger than 70% of IACS. At 400 °C, the peak aging time appears for 0.5~2 h, dependent on the pre-strain for all ECAP samples. With the increase of ECAP passes, the enhancement of tensile strength due to the aging treatment declines, and even shows negative after eight passes of ECAP. The combination of ECAP and aging treatment would be a promising process to balance mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of Cu-5.7%Cr composite.