Influence of cerium on solidification, recrystallization and strengthening of Cu-Ag alloys

• Published in: Journal of rare earths Vol. 35; no. 10; pp. 1029 - 1034
• Main Author: 常丽丽 贾彬 李胜利 朱新德 冯锐 尚兴军
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.10.2017
• Subjects: cerium; Cu-Ag; mechanical properties; microstructure; rare earths; microstructure; cerium; mechanical properties; Cu-Ag; rare earths
• ISSN: 1002-0721; 2509-4963
• DOI: 10.1016/S1002-0721(17)61009-3

Cu-Ag-RE alloys with different Ce contents were prepared by vacuum melting, and microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Cu-Ag-Ce alloys were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electronic microscopy with electron back-scattered diffraction and tensile test. The results indicated that a columnar to equiaxed transition in cast Cu-Ag-RE alloys was observed due to Ce addition and area of the region with equiaxed grains enlarged with increasing Ce content. Cold-rolled Cu-Ag-RE alloys in annealed condition exhibited a partially or fully recrystallized grain structure depending on the concentration of Ce. The average grain size decreased and texture components changed with increasing Ce content. The main brass-type texture component changed to be copper-type as the Ce content increased from 0.05 wt.% to 1.0 wt.%. The Cu-Ag-RE alloy with 0.2 wt.% Ce showed maximum ultimate tensile strength, while the sample with 1.0 wt.% Ce showed a better comprehensive mechanical property.