2020 Volume 59 Issue 1 Pages 80-85
Microstructures and mechanical properties of Cu–Zr and Cu–Zr–B alloys were systematically investigated and the origin of their differences was precisely discussed. Addition of 100 ppm B to Cu–Zr alloy could drastically improve the mechanical properties, even while the microstructure and electrical conductivity were unchanged. Especially the tensile strength and ductility were evidently raised by the slight addition of B. From the above experimental results, a hypothesis that extremely low mixing enthalpy can probably cause formation dipoles and/or clusters of the impurity elements which contribute to strengthening without spoiling electrical conductivity has been proposed.
