Effects of various strengthening methods on the properties of Cu–Ti–B alloys

ABSTRACT

A copper alloy of Cu–1.9 wt-%Ti–0.7 wt-%B was fabricated by vacuum induction melting and casting followed by cold working and annealing. Four strengthening methods has been involved during the preparation of the alloy, and the combined action of these methods results in the alloy with the tensile strength of 530 ± 24 MPa and the electrical conductivity (EC) of 48.0 ± 2.1% International Annealed Copper Standard. The specific contribution (or deterioration) of different strengthening methods to hardness and EC was quantitatively evaluated. With regard to combined properties of Cu–Ti–B alloys, age hardening and forming TiB₂ particles are two effective methods to improve hardness and to maintain EC at a relatively high level simultaneously, but solid solution strengthening and work hardening are two inferior strengthening methods.

KEYWORDS:

• Copper alloy
• strengthening method
• hardness
• electrical conductivity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant numbers U1502274, 51631002, 51501149 and 51401162); the Key Research and Development Program of Shannxi (grant number: 2017ZDXM-GY-028); the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 program, grant number 2015AA034304); and the Shaanxi Key Laboratory Program (grant number 16JS063).