Research on aging microstructure and properties of Cu-Cr-Zr-Mg alloy

The effects of aging parameters on hardness and electrical conductivity properties and microstructure were analyzed in a Cu-0.3Cr-0.15Zr-0.05Mg alloy. Under the condition of aging temperature from 400°C to 650°C and aging time from 1 h to 11 h, three-dimension relationships between the properties and aging parameters are available. The microstructure of aging precipitation is dealt with by transmission electronic microscope (TEM). The results show that at 470°C aging for 4 h the hardness and electrical conductivity can reach HV108 and 45 S · m^-1 respectively. The fine precipitation of an ordered compound CrCu₂ (Zr, Mg) is found in matrix as well as fine Cr and Cu₄Zr. Aging at 550°C for 1 h the hardness and electrical conductivity are HV106 and 46.8 S · m^-1. Precipitates are Cr and Cu₄Zr.