Heat treatment effects on microstructure and properties of Cu–Ti–Fe alloys

High-strength Cu–Ti–Fe alloys were prepared and investigated in this study. The alloy was subjected to cold deformation and aging treatment, and revealed the transformation mechanism of the microstructure and properties. Cold deformation of 60 %, aging at 450 °C for 240 min, can optimize the hardness and conductivity of the Cu–Ti–Fe alloy. The hardness and electrical conductivity of Cu-1.5Ti-0.3Fe alloy increased from 196.8 HV to 7.8 % IACS to 269.3 HV and 19.8 % IACS after aged. Cu4Ti and Fe2Ti are the mainly precipitated phases in Cu–Ti–Fe alloy, which effectively obstructs dislocations slipping and delays recrystallization, and the most important strengthening mechanism. The concentration of solute atoms increased could further improve the grain boundary strengthening, solution strengthening, and deformation strengthening.