THERMOMECHANICAL TREATMENT OF SPINODAL CU-32NI-2CR ALLOY

Progress in spinodal decomposition of a Cu-32Ni-2Cr alloy subjected to quench --> age and quench --> work --> age treatments have been studi ed through hardness measurements as well as by X-ray diffraction techn iques. It is found that recovery processes occur during early stages o f aging which are interpreted in terms of the migration of matrix disl ocations to interfaces. The kinetics of spinodal decomposition is foun d to be enhanced by prior deformation. Thermomechanical treatment resu lts in a substantial increase in strength.