Effect of defect strengthening on the mechanical properties of a novel Cu–15Ni–8Sn alloy

Line defects of dislocations, planar defects of twin boundaries and volume defects of hard phases were judiciously introduced into Cu–15Ni–8Sn alloy by adding Zr-element and using cryo-rolling. The interaction among these defects improved the alloy hardness for 10.4% and yield strength for 20.3% than the room-temperature rolled Zr-free alloy.