Effect of Boron and Cerium on Microstructures and Properties of Cu-Fe-P Alloy

The effects of B and Ce on the removal of inclusions, microstructures, and properties of Cu-Fe-P alloys were studied. Certain impurity elements and the microstructures, mechanical properties, and conductivity of four experimental alloys, Cu-0. 22Fe-0.06P, Cu-0. 22Fe-0.06P-0.05Ce, Cu-0.22Fe-0.06P-0.02B, and Cu-0. 22Fe-0.06P-0. 05Ce-0. 02B (%, mass fraction), were tested and analyzed. Results show that on one hand, B and Ce have a remarkable function of removing S, Pb, and Bi from copper alloys; on the other hand, the recrystallization temperature of the Cu-Fe-P alloy is considerably increased by adding trace B and Ce, resulting in the combined strengthening effect of precipitation hardening and cold work hardening after cold working and aging, while the negative effect of B and Ce on conductivity is slight. Therefore, a good combination of high strength and conductivity is achieved.