Structure and properties of beryllium bronze after aging under load

1. It was established that aging of beryllium bronze in a field of elastic stresses leads to precipitation of particles of second phase with a given orientation in relation to the axis of the applied load. In this case the mutual positions of the particles of second phase change. 2. The aging process is slowed down under load as compared with ordinary aging. 3. Aging under load substantially increases the elastic limit σ0.005 (from 73 to 93 kgf/mm2) and the yield strength σ0.2 (from 107 to 117 kgf/mm2); the ultimate strength remains almost unchanged. 4. Aging of beryllium bronze under bending load leads to a substantial increase in resistance to small plastic deformations, the elastic limit increasing considerably with a small allowance for residual deformation.