Recrystallization and Precipitation Behavior of Cu-Cr-Zr Alloy

Recrystallization and precipitation behaviors after cold rolling and aging are investigated for Cu-0.7Cr-0.13Zr alloy. The processed alloy was characterized using the measurement of Vickers hardness, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The resultant complex microstructures are interpreted in terms of the interactions between precipitation and recrystallization. Upon aging at 500 °C for 1 h, the 45% rolled alloy exhibits a retarded recrystallization process and therefore an efficient hardening response, which are attributed to the pinning effect of fine dispersed precipitates on the dislocation. When heavily deformed and aged at high temperature, the alloy shows an accelerated process of recrystallization, and precipitates are found to coarsen.