An EBSD analysis of a commercial immiscible Cu43%Cr alloy after high-pressure torsion processing and annealing

The influence of high-pressure torsion (HPT) and annealing on microstructure, texture and thermal stability of an immiscible composite Cu43%Cr alloy was studied using electron backscatter diffraction, X-ray diffraction and microhardness measurements. As-received alloy samples were subjected to HPT and subsequent annealing treatment in the range of 210-850 degrees C for 1 h in order to develop ultrafine-grained (UFG) microstructures and highlight their thermal stability. The Cu and Cr grains were refined to similar to 0.45 and similar to 0.39 mu m, respectively and exhibited equiaxed morphology. The crystallographic texture was of shear type in both Cu and Cr with the domination of C and F orientations, respectively. The UFG microstructure and texture were retained in the Cu43%Cr alloy up to 850 degrees C. The global results show that the immiscible composite Cu43%Cr alloy exhibits a high thermal stability up to 850 degrees C. The evolution of the microstructure, texture and thermal stability of the UFG Cu43%Cr alloy was compared to published data and available models.