Controlling CuCrZr alloy properties and microstructure rapidly by pulsed electric treatment (PET)

Pulsed electric treatment (PET) is a promising method for improving properties due to its clean, efficient, convenient, eco-friendly, and sustainable characteristics, thereby satisfying the target of carbon emission reduction and high-quality production. Previous studies have mainly focused on precipitate phases. In contrast, we place a primary emphasis on exploring the microstructural aspects to elucidate the reasons behind the performance enhancement of CuCrZr through PET. In this work, the properties and microstructure after PET in the cold-rolling CuCrZr alloy plate were investigated, and the mechanisms of PET were also revealed. The strength, strain, and electrical conductivity of CuCrZr alloy are increased by ~ 19.5%, ~ 186%, and ~ 73.1%, respectively. The improvement of the above properties is due to PET which can tailor the distribution of dislocation, achieve grain refinement, and promote the transformation of different textures. It is worth noting that dislocations move from the interior to around the grain boundary and gradually annihilate at high temperature with the increasing voltage of PET. At the same time, the current can enhance the < 111 > and < 101 > orientations and increase the volume fraction of {112} < 011 > texture and {112} < 110 > texture. Compared with traditional heat treatment, properties can be better improved under the proper processing parameters of PET. And the PET can induce the CuCrZr alloy to recrystallize at a low temperature.