The Effect of Heat Treatment on the Microstructure Evolution and Properties of an Age-Hardened Cu-3Ti-2Mg Alloy

The study investigates the effect of heat treatment on the microstructure evolution and properties of an age-hardened Cu-3Ti-2Mg alloy. The precipitated Cu2Mg and β'-Cu4Ti phases consequently yield a depletion of the Cu matrix in regards to Ti and Mg solutes, which enhances the electrical conductivity. The Cu2Mg Laves phase and β'-Cu4Ti phase precipitates increase the hardness of the alloy due to the consistency and coherency of the later phase. However, the decrease of hardness is mainly associated with the coarse microstructures, that can be formed due to the phase transformation from metastable β'-Cu4Ti phase to more stable Cu3Ti phase. In the range of experiments, the optimum process is solution treatment at 700°C for 4 h, with subsequent age-hardening at 450°C for 4 h. The electrical conductivity, hardness, tensile strength, and elongation of the Cu-3Ti-2Mg alloy were 15.34 % IACS, 344 HV, 533 MPa, and 12%, respectively.