Materials Science Forum, Vol.503-504, 515-520, 2006
Development of complex methods, combining thermal treatment with severe plastic deformation, for processing of high-strength nanostructured Cu-1%Cr-0.7%Al alloy
The current work presents new results of investigation of properties and structure of nanocrystalline and submicrocrystalline Cu-1%Cr-0.7%Al alloy. Two severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques were applied to refine the structure: high pressure torsion and equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP). The first technique was applied to conduct preliminary studies of the alloy different thermal treatments as before SPD as well as after it. A new technological thermomechanical technique for processing of bulk billets of Cu-1%Cr-0.7%Al alloy possessing an ultrafine grained structure was developed on the basis of the obtained results. This technique comprises a combination of ECAP and other deformational processes with the thermal treatment. High values of the tensile strength and yield stress - 700 MPa and 16% accordingly - have been obtained as a result of such treatment, whereas these values after conventional treatment consisted 450 MPa and 20% respectively.
Keywords:thermal treatment;equal-channel angular pressing;high-pressure torsion;copper alloys;nanocrystalline structure