A novel Cu–Ni–Zn–Al alloy with high strength through precipitation hardening

A novel Cu–10Ni–20Zn–1.6Al (wt.%) alloy with high strength through precipitation hardening is reported in this paper. The yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of this alloy can reach maximum peaks of 1034 MPa and 1112 MPa, respectively. The nanosized coherent precipitates with the Ll2-type ordered structure, which result in precipitation hardening, are formed homogenously in the matrix during the isothermal ageing, and the precipitates can produce zones of severe distortion in the matrix surrounding them due to the coherency.