The influence of Zr concentration on the microstructure and properties of Cu-0.6Cr-xZr alloy: High-throughput preparation and characterization study

Abstract

In this work, the high throughput sample of Cu-0.6Cr-xZr (x = 0–0.18 wt%) alloy was prepared using spark plasma sintering. The influence of Zr concentration on the microstructure and properties of Cu alloys were investigated through advanced characterization technique. The findings reveal that the Zr element concentration in the Cu alloy exhibits a gradient distribution after aging treatment at 500 °C. Some Zr elements precipitate as Cu2Zr phase at a certain Zr concentration of 0.14 wt%. The alloy's hardness increases, while its conductivity decreases with the Zr concentration increasing, attributed to the impediment of dislocation and electron movement caused by solid solution atoms, grain boundaries, and precipitated phases.

Keywords

• Cu-Cr-Zr alloy
• Spark plasma sintering
• Synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction
• Microstructure and performance