Effects of C addition and thermo-mechanical treatments on microstructures and properties of Cu–Fe–P alloys

The microstructures, secondary-phase particles and precipitates of thermo-mechanically treated non C-alloyed and 0.0133 wt.% C-alloyed Cu–2.5Fe–0.1P alloys were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All of the thermo-mechanical treatment processes consequentially improved the mechanical and electrical properties. The Fe3P particles were only marginally affected by the final processes. The Fe precipitates, by contrast, showed different phases and sizes resulting from C-alloying and the final processes; thus, the mechanical and electrical property changes manifested in the alloys were attributed to the Fe precipitates.