Aging processes in low-alloy bronzes after equal-channel angular pressing

Abstract

In this work, the aging processes in the alloys Cu–0.7% Cr, Cu–0.9% Hf, and Cu–0.7% Cr–0.9% Hf after equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) are studied. ECAP leads to the dispersion of grains/subgrains up to 200–250 nm in the Cu–0.7% Cr–0.9% Hf alloy. It is shown that the Cu₅Hf particles upon aging lead to more considerable strengthening and improvement of thermal stability as compared to Cr particles. The combined alloying with Cr and Hf results in the maximum strength upon aging. The optimal aging conditions making it possible to obtain simultaneously high strength, plasticity, and electrical conductivity in the alloys under study are determined.