Aging characteristic of Cu-0.6Cr-0.15Zr-0.05Mg-0.02Si alloy containing trace rare earth yttrium

The aging characteristic of Cu-0.6Cr-0.15Zr-0.05Mg-0.02Si alloy containing trace rare earth yttrium was investigated. The results showed that Cu-0.6Cr-0.15Zr-0.05Mg-0.02Si alloy obtained good comprehensive performance after 80% rolling and then aging at 480 degrees C for 1 h; the hardness and electrical conductivity reached HV 150 and 85.5% IACS, respectively. Increasing aging temperature accelerated aging precipitation. The time for attaining peak hardness was postponed, the precipitates were finer (2-4 nm), and the interparticle spacing was shorter due to yttrium addition. The hardness and electrical conductivity of the Y-containing alloy after 80% deformation and then aging at 480 degrees C for 45 min reached HV 174 and 82.1% IACS, respectively.