Influence of different precipitation states of Cu on the quasi-static and cyclic deformation behavior of Cu alloyed steels with different carbon contents

•Quasi-static and cyclic deformation behavior depend on Cu precipitation state.•Cu precipitation state can be analyzed with cyclic indentation tests (CITs)•Tensile strength correlates with cyclic hardening potential in CITs.•Cyclic hardening potential correlates with fatigue strength.•Higher C content increases static and for short aging times cyclic strength.