Microstructure and Properties of Fine Grained Cu-Cr-Zr Alloys after Termo-Mechanical Treatments

Abstract Cu-Cr-Zr alloys provide an excellent combination of strength and electric conductivity and are frequently used as engineering materials in various electric/electronic devises. The present review deals with the microstructural design of Cu-Cr-Zr alloys, their alloying concept, thermo-mechanical processing based on technique of severe plastic deformation, physical mechanisms responsible for high strength and electric conductivity. The influences of microstructure and a dispersion of secondary phases on the mechanical properties and electric conductivity are discussed in detail. First, precipitation sequences during aging that leads to depletion of Zr and Cr solutes from Cu solution are critically reviewed in close connection with interaction mechanisms between dislocations and particles. Then, the main structure-property relationships of Cu-Cr-Zr alloys are considered. Finally, the strengthening of Cu-Cr-Zr alloys through severe plastic deformation by means of submicrocrystalline/nanocrystalline structure and increasing dislocation density as well as the effects of post-deformation heat treatment on the mechanical and electric properties are discussed.