The influence of boron addition on properties of copper-zirconium alloys

Copper-zirconium alloys with high conductivity were produced using powder metallurgy. Two-steps manufacturing process, containing mechanical alloying followed by hot pressing, was applied in achieving improved and physical properties of Cu-Zr alloy. In this paper, the influence boron on studied Cu-1Zr (wt.%) Cu-1.1Zr-0.3B systems. Scanning electron microscopy, laser nanoparticle sizer, computed tomography X-ray diffraction employed for observation changes microstructure during production steps. More specifically - variations size Cu particles, mixtures? structural parameters, development CuZr phase binary alloy, ZrB2 particles ternary alloy observed. It shown that presence increases dislocation density over time compared to The results presented study show higher hardening effect Cu-Zr- B resulting stable hardness values thermomechanical treatment. Further, it can be seen finely dispersed reinforcing copper matrix does not have significant its conductivity. Moreover, both systems Cu-Zr-B exhibit better electrical after treatment as a result zirconium reduction solid solution due precipitation.