The stored energy in processed Cu-0.4 wt.%Cr-0.12 wt.%Zr-0.02 wt.%Si-0.05 wt.%Mg

Cold drawing was conducted at room temperature to impose high strain on Cu-0.4 wt.%Cr-0.12 wt.%Zr-0.02 wt.%Si-0.05 wt.%Mg. The microstructure was studied by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. The thermal analysis was carried out for the alloy at different draw ratios and then the stored energy was calculated to estimate the dislocation density and the flow stress. Results indicate that the microstrain gradually increases and the (111) texture is formed with the draw ratio rising. Meanwhile, the stored energy also increases with the draw ratio rising and a peak is reached with draw ratio of 6.7. The release of stored energy is primarily due to the decrease of dislocation density. The flow stress estimated from the stored energy has a similar variation trend with the measured data with a stress difference similar to 20 to 120 MPa. The main strengthening effect is attributed to dislocation mechanism. Crown Copyright (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.