Abstract:Microstructures and element distributions of the as-cast, hot-rolled and cold-rolled Cu-Mg-Te-Y alloys were studied. Effects of rolling process and annealing temperature on the properties of the Cu-Mg-Te-Y alloys were correspondingly investigated. The results indicate that the Mg element is homogeneously distributed in the matrix and the fragmentized Cu₂Te phase is dispersed in the matrix after hot rolling. Then, the Cu₂Te phase is further stretched to strip shape after the cold rolling process. The microstructures of the cold-rolled alloy keep unchanged for the sample annealed below 390 °C for 1 h. However, after annealing at 550 °C for 1 h, the copper alloy with fibrous microstructures formed during the cold rolling process recrystallizes, leading to an obvious drop of hardening effect and an increase of electrical conductivity. The Cu-Mg-Te-Y alloy with better comprehensive properties is obtained by annealing at 360-390 °C.

Key words: Cu-Mg-Te-Y alloy; microstructures; rolling; annealing; mechanical properties; electrical conductivity