Effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and properties of CuCrZr prepared by laser powder bed fusion.

In this paper, CuCrZr alloys were prepared by laser powder bed fusion technique. Under optimum forming process conditions, a relative density of 99.7% was obtained and the specimens were analyzed for microstructure and properties. To enhance the mechanical properties of the copper alloy, the specimens are post-treated using both solution aging and direct aging heat treatments. The variation and influence mechanism of microstructure and mechanical properties, thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity were studied and analyzed. With direct aging heat treatment a large number of Cr nanoprecipitates can be obtained, significantly improving the properties of the alloy. The best synthesis properties obtained at an aging temperature of 450 °C were: microhardness 168.7 ± 3.1 HV, ultimate tensile strength 481.7 ± 7.6 MPa, electrical conductivity 73.9 ± 0.9 %IACS, thermal conductivity 314.3 ± 5.3 W/(m·K). • CuCrZr alloy with relative density up to 99.7% can be prepared by laser powder bed melting (infrared laser). • The hardness and ultimate tensile strength of CuCrZr alloy samples were 168.7 ± 3.1 HV and 481.7 MPa respectively under the optimum heat treatment conditions: 450 °C for 4 h. • The CuCrZr alloy has an electrical conductivity of 73.9 ± 0.9% IACS and a thermal conductivity of 314.3 ± 5.3 W/(m·K) after heat treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]