The effect of Fe content on the microstructure and properties of Cu–3Ti alloy

This study investigates the effect of Fe content ranging from 0 to 0.6 wt% on the microstructure and properties of Cu–3Ti alloys. In the forged state, the alloy exhibits an equiaxed grain structure. When the Fe content is 0.1 wt%, the grain size increases to 31.39 μm, and when the Fe content is 0.6 ...

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Main Authors: Di Wang, Qingjuan Wang, Bofan Xu, Kuaishe Wang, Wen Wang, Fengming Qiang, Ke Qiao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Materials Research and Technology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425014206
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author Di Wang
Qingjuan Wang
Bofan Xu
Kuaishe Wang
Wen Wang
Fengming Qiang
Ke Qiao
author_facet Di Wang
Qingjuan Wang
Bofan Xu
Kuaishe Wang
Wen Wang
Fengming Qiang
Ke Qiao
author_sort Di Wang
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the effect of Fe content ranging from 0 to 0.6 wt% on the microstructure and properties of Cu–3Ti alloys. In the forged state, the alloy exhibits an equiaxed grain structure. When the Fe content is 0.1 wt%, the grain size increases to 31.39 μm, and when the Fe content is 0.6 wt%, the grain size decreases to 13.76 μm. The electrical conductivity remains stable at approximately 13 % IACS. The addition of Fe reduces the solubility of Ti in Cu, with some Ti atoms being replaced by Fe or forming FeTi phases with Fe, which promotes the precipitation of the β′-Cu4Ti phase, thereby increasing the hardness with increasing Fe content. At 0.6 wt% Fe, the hardness reaches 255.34 HV0.2. After solution treatment at 880 °C for 2 h, the grain size gradually refines with increasing Fe content. However, the addition of Fe results in the formation of FeTi precipitates, which reduces the solubility of Ti in the matrix, leading to softening of the alloy. A 60 % cold-rolling deformation transforms the microstructure into a fibrous grain structure, resulting in a decrease in electrical conductivity but an increase in hardness. Aging treatment indicates that the Cu–3Ti-0.2Fe alloy reaches optimal performance after aging at 450 °C for 120 min, with a peak hardness of 345.18 HV0.2, electrical conductivity of 11.14 % IACS, and tensile strength of 1085 MPa. This balance of properties is attributed to the controlled precipitation of the β′-Cu4Ti phase and the evolution of the dislocation substructure influenced by Fe.
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spelling doaj-art-3a40ce5a31df47978cff1a7a2c0343f72025-08-20T03:44:55ZengElsevierJournal of Materials Research and Technology2238-78542025-07-013744445410.1016/j.jmrt.2025.05.264The effect of Fe content on the microstructure and properties of Cu–3Ti alloyDi Wang0Qingjuan Wang1Bofan Xu2Kuaishe Wang3Wen Wang4Fengming Qiang5Ke Qiao6School of Metallurgical Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, ChinaCorresponding author.; School of Metallurgical Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, ChinaSchool of Metallurgical Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, ChinaSchool of Metallurgical Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, ChinaSchool of Metallurgical Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, ChinaSchool of Metallurgical Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, ChinaSchool of Metallurgical Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, ChinaThis study investigates the effect of Fe content ranging from 0 to 0.6 wt% on the microstructure and properties of Cu–3Ti alloys. In the forged state, the alloy exhibits an equiaxed grain structure. When the Fe content is 0.1 wt%, the grain size increases to 31.39 μm, and when the Fe content is 0.6 wt%, the grain size decreases to 13.76 μm. The electrical conductivity remains stable at approximately 13 % IACS. The addition of Fe reduces the solubility of Ti in Cu, with some Ti atoms being replaced by Fe or forming FeTi phases with Fe, which promotes the precipitation of the β′-Cu4Ti phase, thereby increasing the hardness with increasing Fe content. At 0.6 wt% Fe, the hardness reaches 255.34 HV0.2. After solution treatment at 880 °C for 2 h, the grain size gradually refines with increasing Fe content. However, the addition of Fe results in the formation of FeTi precipitates, which reduces the solubility of Ti in the matrix, leading to softening of the alloy. A 60 % cold-rolling deformation transforms the microstructure into a fibrous grain structure, resulting in a decrease in electrical conductivity but an increase in hardness. Aging treatment indicates that the Cu–3Ti-0.2Fe alloy reaches optimal performance after aging at 450 °C for 120 min, with a peak hardness of 345.18 HV0.2, electrical conductivity of 11.14 % IACS, and tensile strength of 1085 MPa. This balance of properties is attributed to the controlled precipitation of the β′-Cu4Ti phase and the evolution of the dislocation substructure influenced by Fe.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425014206Cu–3Ti-xFe alloyMicrostructurePropertiesCold-rollingTensile strength
spellingShingle Di Wang
Qingjuan Wang
Bofan Xu
Kuaishe Wang
Wen Wang
Fengming Qiang
Ke Qiao
The effect of Fe content on the microstructure and properties of Cu–3Ti alloy
Journal of Materials Research and Technology
Cu–3Ti-xFe alloy
Microstructure
Properties
Cold-rolling
Tensile strength
title The effect of Fe content on the microstructure and properties of Cu–3Ti alloy
title_full The effect of Fe content on the microstructure and properties of Cu–3Ti alloy
title_fullStr The effect of Fe content on the microstructure and properties of Cu–3Ti alloy
title_full_unstemmed The effect of Fe content on the microstructure and properties of Cu–3Ti alloy
title_short The effect of Fe content on the microstructure and properties of Cu–3Ti alloy
title_sort effect of fe content on the microstructure and properties of cu 3ti alloy
topic Cu–3Ti-xFe alloy
Microstructure
Properties
Cold-rolling
Tensile strength
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425014206
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