Grain refinement and mechanical properties enhancement of Cu-10 wt%Fe alloys via Zr addition

The effects of Zr addition on the solidification structure and mechanical properties of a Cu-10 wt%Fe alloy were investigated. Grain refinement results from the in-situ synthesis of the ZrFe2 nucleation substrate during solidification. The enhanced mechanical properties can be attributed to the additional precipitation of Cu4Zr and ZrFe2 during ageing.