Thermodynamic simulation and an experimental study of the possibility of synthesizing hardened Cu–Zr–O alloys

Abstract

The conditions of formation of hardened Cu–Zr–O alloys are determined theoretically and experimentally. Thermodynamic analysis of the possibility of formation of zirconium oxide in a liquid metal is performed by constructing the surface of component solubility in a metal melt. Disperse zirconium oxide inclusions in samples are detected by scanning electron microscopy and electron-probe microanalysis. The hardness and the electrical conductivity of experimental samples are measured in the as-cast state and after cold deformation. Hardness HV 133 is reached in cold-deformed samples containing 0.05 wt % Zr without heat treatment. The results obtained can be used to create a process for the formation of bulk composite materials based on copper and copper alloys.