The transformation of constituent α and β phases during the higher temperature tempering of hypoeutectoid Cu-Be alloys has been studied.
In connection with a selection of the ageing temperature, the eutectoid temperature of the specimen was also investigated. In order to confirm whether a newly accepted eutectoid horizontal of 605°∼608°C is applicable, the specimens were held at 800°C and some of them were isothermally transformed at 600°C, others were quenched and temperd at 575°C up to 620°C, then they were subjected to micrographic and X-ray tests.
The tempering charactristics at 450°, 500°, 550° and 600°C were studied with micrographic and microhardness tests.
The results obtained can be summarized as follows.
(1) The eutectoid horizontal of the system is considered to lie between 605° and 610°C which is nearly equal to Fillnow’s result.
(2) On tempering at temperatures higher than 450°C, the hardening rate in the β phase region is accelerated remarkably as compared with that of the α phase.
(3) The suppressed hardenability in the α phase region by these high temperature ageing is attributed to the direct formation of the equilibrium precipitate γ phase without going thorugh the intermediate γ′ precipitate.
(4) Microscopic observation indicates a rapid growth of pearlitic nodules in both α and β phases, which corresponds to the softening of the specimen.
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