Thermal stability of gradient microstructure in a low-alloyed Cu-Cr-Zr alloy

Abstract The thermal stability of gradient microstructures in a Cu – 0.096%Cr – 0.07%Zr (wt.%) alloy subjected to equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) at 400 °C was studied. The microstructure after intense plastic straining and aging at 300–500 °C was almost the same. Aging at 600 °C led to the development of a partially recrystallized microstructure. After aging at 700 °C, the fully recrystallized microstructure evolved. An increase in ECAP passes from 1 to 12 decreased the recrystallization temperature from 664 °C to 617 °C. The effect of deformation microstructures and particle precipitation on the recrystallization development is discussed.