Cu-0.40Cr-0.11Zr-0.059Ce
alloy was prepared by melting in a medium-frequency inductive oven, using trace rear-earth element
Ce as the reinforcing agent. The aging behavior and microstructure of the resulting
alloy were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy and transmision electron microscopy. The friciton and wear behavior of the alloy as the contact line material in the presence of electricity was evaluated using an electric wear test rig. It was found that the Cu-0.40Cr-0.11Zr-0.059Ce alloy soluted at 950 ℃ for 1h and aged at 480 ℃ for 2 h had high electric conductivity and microhardness. The precipitation process of the secondary phase could be accelerated by cold working before aging treatment, which contributed to greatly improving the comprehensive properties of the alloy. The alloy after 60% cold working and aging at 480 ℃ for 2 h had electric conductivity and microhardness as high as 85.26%IACS and 153HV, respectively, much larger than 71.62%IACS and 121HV, those of the alloy without deformation but directly being aged alone. Moreover, the wear volume loss of the
Cu-Cr-Zr-Ce alloy increased with increasing electric current. And it was dominated by adhesion wear, abrasive wear, and arc erosion wear as sliding against the slider made of powder metellurgical Cu-based material in the presence of electricity.