Effect of cryorolling on microstructure and property of high strength and high conductivity Cu−0.5wt.%Cr alloy

Abstract Cu−0.5wt.%Cr alloy with high strength and high conductivity was processed by cryorolling (CR) and room temperature rolling (RTR), respectively. The microstructure, mechanical property and electrical conductivity of Cu−0.5Cr alloy after CR/RTR and aging treatment were investigated. The results indicate that obvious dislocation entanglement can be observed in matrix of CR alloy. The Cr particles in the alloy after CR and aging treatment possess finer particle size and exhibit dispersive distribution. The peak hardness of CR alloy is HV 167.4, significantly higher than that of RTR alloy. The optimum mechanical property of CR alloy is obtained after aging at 450 °C for 120 min. The conductivity of CR Cu−0.5Cr alloy reaches 92.5% IACS after aging at 450 °C for 120 min, which is slightly higher than that of RTR alloy.