Analysis of precipitation in a Cu-Cr-Zr alloy

Precipites in Cu-0.42%Cr-0.21%Zr alloy were analyzed by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). After the solid solution was performed at 980 degrees C for 2 h, water-quenched and aged at 450 degrees C for 20 h, the precipite had a bimodal distribution of precipitate size. The coarse precipitates are pure Cr and Cu5Zr, the dispersed fine precipitate is CrCu2(Zr,Mg) and pure Cr ranging from 1 to 50 nm. The coarse phases formed during solidification and were left undissolved during solid solution. The fine precipitates are the hardening precipitates that form due to decomposition of the supersaturated solid solution during aging.