Effect of Plastic Deformation on Microstructure and Properties of Cu-(1 wt%–6 wt%) Ag Alloy

Abstract

In the present study, the Cu-(1 wt%–6 wt%) Ag alloys were prepared by melting, forging and wire drawing. The effects of plastic deformation on microstructure evolution and properties of the alloys were investigated. The results show that non-equilibrium eutectic colonies exist in the Cu- (3 wt%–6 wt%) Ag alloy and no eutectic colonies in the 1 wt%–2 wt% Ag containing alloys. These eutectic colonies are aligned along the drawing direction and refined with the increase of draw ratio. Attributed to the refinement of eutectic colonies, the Cu-Ag alloy exhibits higher strength with the increase of draw ratio. The Cu-6Ag alloy exhibits excellent comprehensive properties with a strength of 930 MPa and a conductivity of 82 %IACS when the draw ratio reaches 5.7.

Keywords

Cu-Ag alloy / high strength and high conductivity / microstructure / eutectic structure / strengthening mechanism

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