Local Mechanical Properties of Cu-Co Alloys with Coherent Co Precipitates

In this work the influence of the thermal treatment on the local mechanical properties of model diluted Cu-Co alloys with Co content of 4 at.% is investigated. The samples underwent annealing at 1273 K followed by water quenching. The further thermal treatment at 1073 K of the oversaturated solid solution generated a fine distribution of Co-rich precipitates. Parameters of microstructure were evaluated by means of analytical electron microscopy. The nanoscale mechanical properties of precipitates, areas adjacent to the precipitates and precipitate-free zones were studied using large area grid indentation tests. Moreover, the modulus mapping capability was applied to obtain quantitative maps of the storage and loss stiffness and modulus.