Synergistic enhancement of strength-ductility in ODS copper alloy by exploring heterogeneous structure

Yang Li, Cunguang Chen*, Wei Sun, Miao Qi, Jie Yan, Changle Zhang, Han Liu, Yang Ren, Xinhua Liu*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

Abstract

This work presents a novel one-step extrusion method for preparing Al2O3 nanoparticles dispersion strengthened (ODS) copper with heterogeneous structure, overcoming the strength-ductility trade-off dilemma. Ultrafine Cu-0.75 wt% Al alloy powder produced by gas-water combined atomization was processed into ODS copper powder through oxidation in air at 350 °C, further diffusion of oxygen in copper matrix in nitrogen at 450 °C, and then reduction in hydrogen at 650 °C. High-energy ball milled ODS copper powder was loosely sintered and subsequently extruded into ODS copper rods. The results show that the heterogeneous structure consisted of ultrafine grains in ODS copper and coarse grains in pure copper was formed after annealing of hot extruded ODS copper rods. The ultrafine grains were attributed to the strong pinning effect of Al2O3 nanoparticles on grain boundary migration, while coarse grains were due to recrystallization growth of grains derived from the sintering and hot extrusion of unexpected pure copper particles on the surface of the ODS copper powder. Owing to comprehensive strengthening mechanisms of dispersion strengthening, grains refinement, and hetero-deformation induced strengthening, compared to the as-extruded homogeneous structure, the annealed ODS copper with heterogeneous structure amazingly exhibited a 64 % increase in elongation while maintaining an excellent tensile strength of 565 MPa, significantly higher than previous work reported. These findings can provide insights into the synergistic enhancement of strength-ductility in novel copper alloys. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.
Original languageEnglish
Article number148194
JournalMaterials Science & Engineering A: Structural Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Processing
Volume931
Online published11 Mar 2025
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2025

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 52271020, 92266301 and U21A200305), the Science and Technology Research and Development Plan Joint Fund Project in Henan Province of China (Grant No. 225200810065), the Key Field R&D Project in Guangdong Province of China (Grant No. 2024B0101080003), Introducing Urgently Needed Talents Project for Areas Supported Significantly by Shandong Province of China (Grant No. 2024-3), the Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission (Grant No. JCYJ20220818101016034), and the City University of Hong Kong (Grant No. CityU 9610533). The synergistic strength-ductility mechanism described in this paper was conducted in the JC STEM Lab of Energy and Materials Physics funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

Research Keywords

  • Dispersion strengthened copper
  • Heterostructure
  • Powder metallurgy
  • Strength-ductility synergy
  • Strengthening mechanism

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