A Comparative Differential Scanning Calorimetry Study of Precipitation Hardenable Copper-Based Alloys with Optimized Strength and High Conductivity

Copper alloys with chromium, hafnium, and scandium combining enhanced strength as well as high electrical and thermal conductivity are analyzed in depth. The aim is to compare the precipitation process during temperature exposure to meet increasing material requirements. This research focuses on all...

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Main Authors: Julia Dölling, Stefanie Felicia Kracun, Ulrich Prahl, Martin Fehlbier, Andreas Zilly
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-01-01
Series:Metals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/13/1/150
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author Julia Dölling
Stefanie Felicia Kracun
Ulrich Prahl
Martin Fehlbier
Andreas Zilly
author_facet Julia Dölling
Stefanie Felicia Kracun
Ulrich Prahl
Martin Fehlbier
Andreas Zilly
author_sort Julia Dölling
collection DOAJ
description Copper alloys with chromium, hafnium, and scandium combining enhanced strength as well as high electrical and thermal conductivity are analyzed in depth. The aim is to compare the precipitation process during temperature exposure to meet increasing material requirements. This research focuses on alloying elements having a limited, maximum 1 wt.%, and with temperature decreasing solubility in copper. For the simultaneous enhancement of mechanical strength and conductivity, precipitation hardening is the utilized mechanism during the processing of as-casted annealed and quenched specimens and in combination with optional cold-rolling prior to the aging process. Extensive DSC measurements, accompanied by metallographic investigations, and the analysis of hardness and electrical conductivity, lead to a versatile description and comparison of different alloying systems. CuCr0.7 starts to precipitate early and is mainly influenced by the temperature of aging. Provoking the solid solution with cold deformation has a less significant influence on the following precipitation. CuSc0.3 and CuHf0.7 precipitate at higher temperatures and are highly influenced by cold deformation prior to aging. Furthermore, CuHf0.7 and CuSc0.3 show advantages regarding the recrystallization behavior, making them especially applicable for higher operating temperatures. Future research will assess ternary alloy combinations to further scoop the potential.
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spelling doaj.art-e547e30f72494fcb8544396b646c93f22023-11-30T23:31:25ZengMDPI AGMetals2075-47012023-01-0113115010.3390/met13010150A Comparative Differential Scanning Calorimetry Study of Precipitation Hardenable Copper-Based Alloys with Optimized Strength and High ConductivityJulia Dölling0Stefanie Felicia Kracun1Ulrich Prahl2Martin Fehlbier3Andreas Zilly4Faculty of Technology, Cooperative State University Stuttgart, Rotebühlstraße 133, 70197 Stuttgart, GermanyDepartment for Casting-Technology (GTK), Institute of Production Engineering, University Kassel, Kurt-Wolters-Str. 3, 34125 Kassel, GermanyInstitute of Metal Forming, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Bernhard-von-Cotta Straße 4, 09599 Freiberg, GermanyDepartment for Casting-Technology (GTK), Institute of Production Engineering, University Kassel, Kurt-Wolters-Str. 3, 34125 Kassel, GermanyFaculty of Technology, Cooperative State University Stuttgart, Rotebühlstraße 133, 70197 Stuttgart, GermanyCopper alloys with chromium, hafnium, and scandium combining enhanced strength as well as high electrical and thermal conductivity are analyzed in depth. The aim is to compare the precipitation process during temperature exposure to meet increasing material requirements. This research focuses on alloying elements having a limited, maximum 1 wt.%, and with temperature decreasing solubility in copper. For the simultaneous enhancement of mechanical strength and conductivity, precipitation hardening is the utilized mechanism during the processing of as-casted annealed and quenched specimens and in combination with optional cold-rolling prior to the aging process. Extensive DSC measurements, accompanied by metallographic investigations, and the analysis of hardness and electrical conductivity, lead to a versatile description and comparison of different alloying systems. CuCr0.7 starts to precipitate early and is mainly influenced by the temperature of aging. Provoking the solid solution with cold deformation has a less significant influence on the following precipitation. CuSc0.3 and CuHf0.7 precipitate at higher temperatures and are highly influenced by cold deformation prior to aging. Furthermore, CuHf0.7 and CuSc0.3 show advantages regarding the recrystallization behavior, making them especially applicable for higher operating temperatures. Future research will assess ternary alloy combinations to further scoop the potential.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/13/1/150copper-scandium CuSccopper-hafnium CuHfcopper-chromium CuCrdifferential scanning calorimetry DSCprecipitation hardeningcold working
spellingShingle Julia Dölling
Stefanie Felicia Kracun
Ulrich Prahl
Martin Fehlbier
Andreas Zilly
A Comparative Differential Scanning Calorimetry Study of Precipitation Hardenable Copper-Based Alloys with Optimized Strength and High Conductivity
Metals
copper-scandium CuSc
copper-hafnium CuHf
copper-chromium CuCr
differential scanning calorimetry DSC
precipitation hardening
cold working
title A Comparative Differential Scanning Calorimetry Study of Precipitation Hardenable Copper-Based Alloys with Optimized Strength and High Conductivity
title_full A Comparative Differential Scanning Calorimetry Study of Precipitation Hardenable Copper-Based Alloys with Optimized Strength and High Conductivity
title_fullStr A Comparative Differential Scanning Calorimetry Study of Precipitation Hardenable Copper-Based Alloys with Optimized Strength and High Conductivity
title_full_unstemmed A Comparative Differential Scanning Calorimetry Study of Precipitation Hardenable Copper-Based Alloys with Optimized Strength and High Conductivity
title_short A Comparative Differential Scanning Calorimetry Study of Precipitation Hardenable Copper-Based Alloys with Optimized Strength and High Conductivity
title_sort comparative differential scanning calorimetry study of precipitation hardenable copper based alloys with optimized strength and high conductivity
topic copper-scandium CuSc
copper-hafnium CuHf
copper-chromium CuCr
differential scanning calorimetry DSC
precipitation hardening
cold working
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/13/1/150
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