Effect of ageing treatment on wear properties and electrical conductivity of Cu-Cr-Zr alloy

In this study, the effect of ageing processes on the wear behaviour and electrical conductivity was investigated. Prior to solid solution heat treatment at 920°C and ageing at 470°C, 500°C and 530°C for 1 h, 2 h and 3 h, respectively, the prepared samples were homogenized at 920°C for 1 h. After the ageing processes, all samples were characterized in terms of electrical conductivity, scanning electron microscope (with energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS)) and hardness (HV5). In wear tests, pin-on-disc type standard wearing unit was used. As a result, starting from 1 h aged specimens, orderly increase of electrical conductivity was defined. From EDS analyses it was observed that Cr rate increases as precipitates grow. With increase of Cr rate there was also a defined rise of electrical conductivity. From the wear tests, it was observed that the least wear loss was in Cu-Cr-Zr alloy aged at 500°C for 2 h and the most wear loss was in specimens aged at 530°C for 2 h. Furthermore, it was observed that the friction coefficient values resulting from wear rate were overlapped with hardness results and there is a decrease tendency of friction coefficient as wear distance increases.