Effects of Initial Microstructure on the Microstructure and Properties of the Cu-Fe-Zn-P Alloy

HU Yong; JIANG Shangyuan; WANG Shaohua; GAO Zhiwei; ZHAO Geng; LI Jiehua; YAN Zhijie

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.10.022

PDF(8396 KB)

Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (10) : 220-229. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.10.022

Copper Alloy Forming

Effects of Initial Microstructure on the Microstructure and Properties of the Cu-Fe-Zn-P Alloy

HU Yong^1,2,*, JIANG Shangyuan¹, WANG Shaohua³, GAO Zhiwei³, ZHAO Geng³, LI Jiehua⁴, YAN Zhijie⁵

Author information +

History +

Abstract

The work aims to investigate the effect of different initial microstructures on the comprehensive properties of the Cu-Fe-Zn-P alloy, and to reveal the mechanism by which rapid solidification optimizes the overall performance, thereby providing a reference for the process development of high-performance copper alloys. With the Cu-Fe-Zn-P alloy as the research object, the as-cast alloys in two initial states were prepared by vacuum suction casting (VSC) and solution treatment (ST). Both alloys with different initial microstructures were subject to identical two-pass cold deformation (70% reduction in the first pass and 40% in the second pass) and subsequent heat treatment. Microstructural evolution was characterized by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Mechanical properties at room temperature were evaluated with a universal testing machine and a micro Vickers hardness tester. Electrical conductivity was measured with a digital micro-ohmmeter. By comparing the microstructural evolution and property variations between the two processing routes, the effect mechanisms of initial microstructure, as well as deformation and heat treatment processes, on the final properties were elucidated. After deformation and heat treatment, the alloy with an initial VSC state exhibited a tensile strength of 681.2 MPa, a microhardness of 165.8HV, and an electrical conductivity of 54.4%IACS. In comparison, the alloy initially processed by HR+ST showed corresponding values of 665.9 MPa, 156.2HV, and 56.2%IACS after identical subsequent treatments. Microstructural analysis revealed that the VSC-processed sample developed a higher density of finer and more uniformly dispersed precipitates within the matrix after subsequent treatments, leading to a more pronounced precipitation strengthening effect. Conversely, the precipitates in the HR+ST processed sample after subsequent treatments were relatively coarser and less uniformly distributed. Although both processing routes yielded similar electrical conductivity, the alloy prepared by suction casting demonstrated superior strength and hardness. Compared with the hot rolling and solution treatment route, the vacuum suction casting process effectively enhances the comprehensive properties of the Cu-Fe-Zn-P alloy. The rapid solidification inherent in suction casting substantially improves the solid solubility of alloying elements in the copper matrix, which creates favorable conditions for the precipitation of a high density of fine and dispersed strengthening phases during subsequent deformation and aging. This enables the alloy to achieve superior strength and hardness while maintaining relatively high electrical conductivity. This processing route offers a valuable reference for the preparation of high-performance copper alloys.

Key words

Cu-Fe-Zn-P alloy / mechanical properties / electrical conductivity / microstructure evolution / electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD)

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

HU Yong, JIANG Shangyuan, WANG Shaohua, GAO Zhiwei, ZHAO Geng, LI Jiehua, YAN Zhijie. Effects of Initial Microstructure on the Microstructure and Properties of the Cu-Fe-Zn-P Alloy[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2026, 18(10): 220-229 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.10.022

References

[1] JIA Y L, LI L H, PANG Y, et al.Enhanced Thermostability via Dislocation-Assisted Heterogeneous Co-Precipitation in Cu-Cr-Hf Alloy[J]. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 2026, 244: 88-101.
[2] JIA Y L, LI L H, LIAO X F, et al.Effects of Thermo-Mechanical Processing on Microstructure and Properties of Cu-0.9Hf Alloy[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2024, 1003: 175574.
[3] YANG J Z, BU K, ZHOU Y J, et al.Microstructure, Residual Stress, and Mechanical Properties Evolution of a Cu-Fe-P Alloy under Different Conditions[J]. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2023, 24: 7896-7909.
[4] CAO H, MIN J Y, WU S D, et al.Pinning of Grain Boundaries by Second Phase Particles in Equal-Channel Angularly Pressed Cu-Fe-P Alloy[J]. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 2006, 431(1/2): 86-91.
[5] WANG B B, LIU Y H, ZHU Q Q, et al.Microstructure and Residual Stress Gradient Evolution Mechanism of Electronic Copper Strip for Lead Frame[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2024, 1009: 176902.
[6] ZHANG H, ZHANG H G, LI L X.Hot Deformation Behavior of Cu-Fe-P Alloys during Compression at Elevated Temperatures[J]. Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 2009, 209(6): 2892-2896.
[7] WEN C Y, QIU Y, ZHANG Z G, et al.Deformation Behavior of Heterogeneous Lamellar Cu-Fe-P Immiscible Alloys with Enhanced Strength and Ductility Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2024, 971: 172675.
[8] LIU S Y, SHI H L, XU Z H, et al.Effect of Cryogenic Rolling on the Microstructure and Properties of C70250 Copper Alloy[J]. Materials Today Communications, 2024, 41: 110886.
[9] GHOLAMI M, VESELY J, ALTENBERGER I, et al.Effects of Microstructure on Mechanical Properties of CuNiSi Alloys[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2017, 696: 201-212.
[10] JIA Y L, PANG Y, YI J, et al.Effects of Pre-Aging on Microstructure and Properties of Cu-Ni-Si Alloys[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2023, 942: 169033.
[11] YI J, JIA Y L, ZHAO Y Y, et al.Precipitation Behavior of Cu-3.0Ni-0.72Si Alloy[J]. Acta Materialia, 2019, 166: 261-270.
[12] LAI Z M, PENG K Z, GAO B B, et al.Achieving High Strength and High Electrical Conductivity in Cu-Cr-Zr Alloy by Modifying Shear Banding during Rolling[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2023, 958: 170402.
[13] LI J Z, DING H, LI B M, et al.Microstructure Evolution and Properties of a Cu-Cr-Zr Alloy with High Strength and High Conductivity[J]. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 2021, 819: 141464.
[14] LI Y L, XIA W L, WANG X L, et al.Effects of Cooling Rate on the Microstructure Control and Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Behavior of Cu-Fe-P Immiscible Alloys[J]. Materials Today Communications, 2022, 33: 104300.
[15] 何春双, 伍爱江, 徐艳, 等. 多参数协同调控下GH4065A高温合金低应力拉削加工方案优化与实验验证[J]. 精密成形工程, 2025, 17(12): 62-72.
HE C S, WU A J, XU Y, et al.Optimization and Experimental Verification of Low Stress Cutting Scheme for GH4065A Superalloy under Multi-Parameter Collaborative Control[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering, 2025, 17(12): 62-72.
[16] WEI C, WANG J, HE Y X, et al.Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation in Immiscible Cu-Co Alloy[J]. Materials Letters, 2020, 268: 127585.
[17] 杜全斌, 姜雪, 崔冰, 等. Zn对Cu-20Sn-10Ti钎焊金刚石界面特征和耐磨性的影响[J]. 精密成形工程, 2025, 17(6): 97-108.
DU Q B, JIANG X, CUI B, et al.Effect of Zn on Interface Characteristics and Wear Resistance of Cu-20Sn- 10Ti Brazed Diamond[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering, 2025, 17(6): 97-108.
[18] DING Y J, XIAO Z, FANG M, et al.Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Multi-Scale α-Fe Reinforced Cu-Fe Composite Produced by Vacuum Suction Casting[J]. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 2023, 864: 144603.
[19] GUPTA A, KAUSHIK L, YOO T H, et al.Unveiling the Self-Annealing Phenomenon and Texture Evolution in Room-Temperature-Rolled Cu-Fe-P Alloy Sheets[J]. International Journal of Plasticity, 2022, 159: 103473.
[20] GUO C J, YUAN M Q, GONG Y H, et al.Improving the Mechanical Properties of the Cu-15Ni-8Sn-0.3Fe-0.3Er Alloy: Cold Rolling and Aging Treatment[J]. Materials Today Communications, 2025, 49: 114088.
[21] 马镜涵, 张剑, 刘健, 等. 稀土元素Y对Cu-9Ni-6Sn合金组织及性能的影响[J]. 精密成形工程, 2025, 17(8): 127-135.
MA J H, ZHANG J, LIU J, et al.Effect of Rare Earth Element Y on Microstructure and Properties of Cu-9Ni- 6Sn Alloy[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering, 2025, 17(8): 127-135.
[22] CUI J G, ZHOU R, YANG W D, et al.High Strength, High Conductivity and Excellent Softening Resistance Cu-Ni-Fe-P Alloy[J]. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 2024, 915: 147278.
[23] ZHANG Y M, LI S G, SONG K X, et al.Effect of Stretch-Bending Straightening on the Residual Stress of C19400 Alloy Strips[J]. Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, 2023, 32(4): 1883-1891.
[24] 高子杰, 王善林, 陈玉华, 等. 热轧对等离子沉积Cu-Fe合金组织与性能的影响[J]. 精密成形工程, 2025, 17(9): 195-203.
GAO Z J, WANG S L, CHEN Y H, et al.Effect of Hot Rolling on Microstructure and Properties of Plasma Deposited Cu-Fe Alloys[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering, 2025, 17(9): 195-203.