Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Properties of Copper-steel-copper Clad Plates

WANG Zhenbao; LIU Zhe; DENG Jun; LI Boxin; MA Jinhui; WANG Hongyu; ZHAO Yunqiang

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.07.018

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Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (7) : 194-206. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.07.018

Composites Forming

Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Properties of Copper-steel-copper Clad Plates

WANG Zhenbao^1,2, LIU Zhe^1,2,*, DENG Jun², LI Boxin^3,*, MA Jinhui⁴, WANG Hongyu⁴, ZHAO Yunqiang²

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Abstract

The work aims to meticulously examine the effect of heat treatment at different temperature levels on the microstructure, texture, interfacial structure, and mechanical properties of cold-roll-bonded copper-steel-copper clad plates to improve the overall performance. The specimens were heated to 600, 640, and 680 ℃, respectively, followed by isothermal holding for 3 h. Scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and tensile testing were employed. The interfacial morphology, elemental diffusion, recrystallization behavior, texture evolution, geometrically necessary dislocation density, and mechanical response were systematically characterized. The results demonstrated that pronounced recrystallization occurred in both the copper and steel layers after heat treatment of the as-rolled clad plate. The elongated grains formed during rolling were transformed into uniform equiaxed grains, and the grain size gradually increased with increasing heat-treatment temperature. Heat treatment significantly reduced the geometrically necessary dislocation density in both the steel and copper layers. Meanwhile, the rolling texture in the steel layer was weakened, whereas the recrystallization texture in the copper layer was enhanced. Under heat-treatment conditions of 600-680 ℃, the copper/steel interface remained straight and continuous, without pores, cracks or obvious intermetallic compounds. As the heat-treatment temperature increased, elemental diffusion across the interface was promoted, and the diffusion coefficient of Fe was higher than that of Cu at each temperature level. The mechanical test results showed that the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of the heat-treated clad plates decreased significantly, while the elongation was markedly improved. The study reveals the effect of heat treatment on the microstructure, texture, interfacial structure and mechanical properties of copper-steel-copper composite plates, and clarifies the mechanisms such as microstructure, element diffusion and texture evolution. It provides a robust theoretical foundation for optimizing the heat treatment process and improving the comprehensive performance of composite plates.

Key words

copper-steel-copper clad plate / heat treatment / interfacial diffusion / texture / mechanical properties

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WANG Zhenbao, LIU Zhe, DENG Jun, LI Boxin, MA Jinhui, WANG Hongyu, ZHAO Yunqiang. Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Properties of Copper-steel-copper Clad Plates[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2026, 18(7): 194-206 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.07.018

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China (52305343); Key Talent Plan Project of Guangdong Province (2023TQ07C702); GDAS’Project of Science and Technology Development (2024GDASQNRC-0103); Young S&T Talent Training Program of Guangdong Provincial Association for S&T, China (SKXRC2025080); Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2025A1515011033); Scientific Research Project of Shaanxi Provincial Education Department (24JK0471)