Intergranular failure after annealing of deformed CuAl2O3 alloys

Abstract The effect of annealing after straining in tension or rolling on the ductility and mode of failure of internally oxidized CuAgAl alloys has been investigated. It is shown that annealing after light to moderate amount of deformation causes a weakening of the grain boundaries and leads to intergranular failure of these alloys. Annealing after straining above a critical value improves the strength and ductility. This behaviour is believed to be caused by the annealing treatment through a recovery mechanism in which the concentrated strain energy near the oxide particles at the grain boundaries is relieved by separation of the particle - matrix interface. The critical value of strain required to avoid intergranular failure depends on the thermal and mechanical stability of the dislocation structure.