Fabricate of high-strength and high-conductivity Cu-Cr-Si alloys through ECAP-Bc and aging heat treatment

The effect of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) through the route Bc and aging treatment on the grain structure and properties of the Cu-1Cr-0.2Si alloy was investigated. Microstructure was detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity were tested. Results shown that after ECAP, accompanying the grains refined to nano-and submicron-structure, the Cr particles were gradually spread along the grain boundaries (GBs), aging treatment promoted Cr particles dispersed in the matrix. ECAP greatly increased the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) while having a small effect on the conductivity, and aging treatment increased electrical conductivity. The stable 111<110> texture after ECAP and the lower dislocation density after aging treatment maybe the main reasons for the high conductivity of the material.