Hot ductility of an electroslag crucible melted age hardenable Cu-Cr alloy

Abstract

The electroslag crucible melting process (ESCM), developed on the well established principles of electroslag refining was used to cast age hardening Cu-0.5%Cr alloys using copper scrap. The alloys exhibited superior room temperature tensile strength and ductility compared with conventional wrought material. An important aspect of the ESCM process is that there is considerable chemical refinement of the alloy with respect to both oxygen and sulphur due to reactions inherent in the process. This results in improved hot ductility (to the extent of ∼45%) of the ESCM alloy compared with the material produced by the vacuum melting process.