Influence of the radial-shear rolling (RSR) process on the microstructure, electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of a Cu–Ni–Cr–Si alloy

The article describes a method for producing semi-finished products from a copper alloy of the Cu–Ni–Cr–Si system for electrical purposes through the radial-shear rolling (RSR). From the Cu–Ni–Cr–Si alloy by hot deformation, rods with a diameter of 20 mm were obtained, which were then heat treated with quenching and aging. A detailed analysis of the microstructure and properties (mechanical and electrical) of the obtained samples was carried out after RSR and after heat treatment (HT). After RSR, material hardening occurs due to shear deformations forming a gradient structure with grain sizes varying from 8.22 μm to 15.95 μm between the surface and the center of the rod. The microstructure and mechanical property analysis showed that after heat treatment, the alloy is thermally hardened due to the precipitation of Ni2Si and Cr3Si particles uniformly distributed in the sample volume in the form of fine inclusions with an average size of 0.56–0.65 μm. After heat treatment, the alloy enhanced its mechanical properties (ultimate tensile strength (UTS) ~ 700–750 MPa, yield strength (YS) ~ 557–606 MPa, and elongation between 17 and 22%) and its electrical conductivity of 45.17% IACS from the 30.52% IACS of the RSR material. The improved mechanical properties of the heat-treated material are due to the different strength contributions mainly coming from dislocations and precipitates. The electrical conductivity improvement after the heat treatment is related to the dislocation density reduction and the increase in grain boundary misorientation due to the recrystallization phenomenon giving rise to a lower number of boundaries but with a twinning character. Thus, the RSR method offers a new industrial alternative for the production of semi-finished products from a Cu–Ni–Cr–Si alloy in the form of rods with diameters ranging from 10 to 55 mm. •Radial shear rolling can produce copper rods of different diameters at an industrial scale.•The thermomechanical process using radial shear rolling gives rise to a heterogeneous material.•Aging treatment after radial shear rolling produces a remarkable combination of strength, ductility, and electrical conductivity.•Dislocations annihilation and grain boundaries misorientation change help to improve the material electrical conductivity.