Strengthening in rapidly solidified age hardened CuCr and CuCrZr alloys

CuCr and CuCrZr alloy powders were produced by water atomization and consolidated by warm extrusion. Coherent Cr precipitation is associated with the peak hardness condition in these alloys. The mechanical properties obtained after ageing treatments, namely the peak hardness, and the corresponding proof stress are related to the concentration of the alloying element initially in solid solution in the powders. The strengthening observed is interpreted in terms of theories of precipitation and dispersion strengthening and compared with similar analyses reported previously in the literature for these alloy systems.