Formation mechanism and organizational controlling of ultra-fine-grain copper processed by asymmetrical accumulative rolling-bond and annealing

The initial copper with large grain sizes of 60-100 μm was processed by six passes asymmetrical accumulative rolling-bond （AARB） and annealing, the ultra-fine-grained （UFG） copper with grain size of 200 nm was obtained, and the microstructures and properties were studied. The results show that there are large sub-structures and also texture component C for the UFG copper obtained by six passes AARB, possessing high strength and microhardness in company with poor elongation and conductivity. Thereafter, the UFG copper was annealed at 220 °C for 35 min, in which the sub-structures disappear, the grain boundaries are composed of big angle grain boundaries, and the textures are composed of a variety of texture components and parts of twins. Compared with the UFG copper obtained by six passes AARB, the tensile strength and yield strength for the UFG copper obtained by six passes AARB and annealing at 220 °C for 35 min are decreased slightly, the elongation and conductivity are improved obviously.

Evolution of Goss texture in thin-walled copper tube at different heat treatment temperatures

The evolution of microstructure,textures,and mechanical properties of thin-walled copper tube during heat treatment was investigated using EBSD technique and tensile test.The results show that the initial deformation textures of pre-drawn thin-walled copper tube are mainly composed of Copper and Y components,while with the increase of temperatures,the textures are transformed into a strong Goss texture gradually.The high-resolution microstructural characterizations indicate that the new Goss recrystallized grains nucleate and grow up within the deformed Copper grains and Y grains in different mechanisms,respectively.The tensile strength of the thin-walled copper tube decreases gradually with the increase of the temperature,while the elongation increases first and then decreases sharply due to the action of grain sizes and texture components.

Evolution of Annealing Twins and Recrystallization Texture in Thin-Walled Copper Tube During Heat Treatment

Thin-walled copper tubes are usually produced by multi-pass float-plug drawing deformation.In general,the annealing treatment subsequently is necessary to release the stored energy and adjusts the microstructure.In this study,an investigation on the evolution of annealing twins as well as textures in the thin-walled(Φ6 mm×0.3 mm)copper tube underwent holding time-free heat treatment was reported.Electron backscattered diffraction analysis reveals that a large number ofΣ3 boundaries(600<111>twin relationship)are produced at the early stage of heat treatment,which is due to the lower boundary energy.With the recrystallization proceeding,the migration rate of grain boundaries decreases on account of the grain growth;meanwhile,the uniqueΣ9 boundaries(38.9°<110>relationship)are formed due to the interaction of theΣ3 boundaries.As a result,the number fractions ofΣ3 boundaries and high-angle grain boundaries decrease rapidly.During the grain growth stage,a strong recrystallization texture was formed due to the fact that the grains of Goss orientation have a growth advantage over the others.As a result,the initial copper texture was transferred into the Goss texture in domination.

Electrical annealing of severely deformed copper: microstructure and hardness

Commercial pure copper sheets were severely deformed after primary annealing to a strain magnitude of 2.32 through constrained groove pressing. After induction of an electrical current, the sheets were heated for 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 s up to maximum temperatures of 150, 200, 250, or 300℃. To compare the annealing process in the current-carrying system with that in the current-free system, four other samples were heated to 300℃ at holding times of 60, 90, 120, or 150 s in a salt bath. The microstructural evolution and hardness values of the samples were then investigated. The results generally indicated that induction of an electrical current could accelerate the recrystallization process by decreasing the thermodynamic barriers for nucleation. In other words, the current effect, in addition to the thermal effect, enhanced the diffusion rate and dislocation climb velocity. During the primary stages of recrystallization, the grown nuclei of electrically annealed samples showed greater numbers and a more homogeneous distribution than those of the samples annealed in the salt bath. In the fully recrystallized condition, the grain size of electrically annealed samples was smaller than that of conventionally annealed samples. The hardness values and metallographic images obtained indicate that, unlike the conventional annealing process, which promotes restoration phenomena with increasing heating time, the electrical annealing process does not necessarily promote these phenomena. This difference is hypothesized to stem from conflicts between thermal and athermal effects during recrystallization.

Macrostructure and properties of thin walled copper tubes prepared by the downward continuous unidirectional solidification method

The macrostructure and properties of the thin walled copper tube prepared by the downward continuous unidirectional solidification （DCUS） method were studied. The result shows that the macrostructure is closely related to the solid-liquid interface profile, which is influenced by the distance between the cooling water location and the solidification front. The mechanical properties of the thin walled copper tube prepared by the DCUS method are near those of the normal cast copper, and it has good relative density, electrical conductivity, and elongation, which are not greatly affected by casting speed. The thin walled copper tube prepared by the DCUS method also has good processing properties that can be taken to further drawing procedures directly without an intermediate process, and obtains good mechanical properties with the total processing rate of 89.8%.

Microstructure and properties of TP2 copper tube with La microalloying by horizontal continuous casting

The TP2 copper tube was prepared with La microalloying by horizontal continuous casting(HCC). The absorptivity of La and its effects on microstructure, tensile and corrosion properties of HCC TP2 copper tube were studied by means of the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer(ICP-OES), optical microscope(OM), scanning electron microscope(SEM) and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. The results show that the absorptivity of La in the HCC TP2 copper tube is about 15% under antivacuum conditions due to the good chemical activities of La. The impurity elements in copper tube such as O, S, Pb and Si can be significantly reduced, and the average columnar dendrite spacing of the copper tube can also be reduced from 2.21 mm to 0.93 mm by adding La. The ultimate tensile strength and the elongation with and without La addition are almost unchanged. However, the annual corrosion rate of the HCC TP2 copper tube is reduced from 10.18 mm·a^(-1) to 9.37 mm·a^(-1) by the purification effect of trace La.

Effects of Annealing Temperature on the Properties of Copper Films Prepared by Magnetron Sputtering

Copper oxide thin films were prepared by a direct-current magnetron sputtering method followed by a thermal annealing treatment at 100-500 ℃. The obtained films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. With the increase of the annealing temperature, it was found that the films transformed sequentially from amorphous to single-phase Cu （100℃）, mixed-phase of Cu and Cu2O （150 ℃）, single-phase Cu2O （200 ℃）, then to mixed-phase of Cu2O and CuO （300 ℃）, and finally to single-phase CuO （400 - 500 ℃）. Further analyses indicated that the Cu/Cu2O thin films and the Cu：O thin films presented no further oxidation even on the surface in air atmosphere. Additionally, the visible-light photocatalytic behavior of the copper oxide thin films on the degradation of methylene blue （MB） was also investigated, indicating that the films with pure Cu2O phase or Cu/Cu2O mixed phases have excellent photocatalytic efficiencies.

A Study of Water Treatment Chemical Effects on Type I” Pitting Corrosion of Copper Tubes

It is known that one of the causes of pitting corrosion of copper tubes is residual carbon on the inner surface. It was confirmed that type I” pitting corrosion of the copper tube is suppressed by keeping the residual carbon amount at 2 mg/m2 or less, which is lower than that of the type I’ pitting corrosion, or by removing the fine particles that are the corrosion product of galvanized steel pipes. The developed water treatment chemical was evaluated using three types of copper tubes with residual carbon amounts of 0 mg/m2, 0.5 mg/m2, and 6.1 mg/m2. The evaluation was conducted for three months in an open-circulation cooling water system and compared with the current water treatment chemical. Under the current water treatment chemical conditions, only the copper tube with a residual carbon amount of 6.1 mg/m2 showed a significant increase in the natural corrosion potential after two weeks, and pitting corrosion occurred. No pitting corrosion and no increase in the natural corrosion potential were observed in any of the copper tubes that were treated with the developed water treatment chemical. In addition, the polarization curve was measured using the cooling water from this field test, and the anodic polarization of two cooling waters was compared. For copper tubes with a large amount of residual carbon, the current density near 0 mV vs. Ag/AgCl electrode (SSE) increased when the developed water treatment chemical was added.

Effect of continuous induction annealing on the microstructure and mechanical properties of copper-clad aluminum flat bars

Copper-clad aluminum （CCA） flat bars produced by the continuous casting-rolling process were subjected to continuous induction heating annealing （CIHA）, and the effects of induction heating temperature and holding time on the microstructure, interface, and mechanical properties of the fiat bars were investigated. The results showed that complete recrystallization of the copper sheath occurred under CIHA at 460℃ for 5 s, 480℃ for 3 s, or 500℃ for 1 s and that the average grain size in the copper sheath was approximately 10.0 μm. In the case of specimens subjected to CIHA at 460-500℃ for longer than 1 s, complete recrystallization occurred in the aluminum core. In the case of CIHA at 460-500℃ for 1-5 s, a continuous interracial layer with a thickness of 2.5-5.5 μm formed and the thickness mainly increased with increasing annealing temperature. After CIHA, the interracial layer consisted primarily of a Cu9A14 layer and a CuA12 layer; the average interface shear strength of the CCA flat bars treated by CIHA at 460-500℃ for 1-5 s was 45-52 MPa. After full softening annealing, the hardness values of the copper sheath and the aluminum core were HV 65 and HV 24, respectively, and the hardness along the cross section of the CCA flat bar was uniform.

Localized Corrosion in Copper Tubes by Volatile Organic Substance

An unusual form of localized corrsion in copper tubes was detected early in service and in leakage tests after manufacturing.The morphology of this corrosion is similar to that of an ant's nest when viewed in cross section. The corrosion mechanisms, cases ofant's nest corrosion, and preventive measures are presented.

Recrystallization and texture evolution of cold-rolled FeCrAl thin-wall tube with large Laves phase during annealing:Effect of Nb content

The recrystallization and texture evolution of cold-rolled FeCrAl-0.65 Nb and FeCrAl-1.2 Nb alloys thin-wall tubes annealed at 600−900℃ for 1−600 min were investigated.The microstructures were characterized by electron back scattering diffraction,electron probe micro-analyzer and transmission electron microscopy.The Vickers hardness and room temperature tensile properties were tested.The results showed that the hardness of fully recrystallized FeCrAl-1.2 Nb alloy was higher and more likely to recrystallize than FeCrAl-0.65 Nb alloy.The weak texture strength of annealing sample was obtained and the proportion of<111>//ND texture increased.The fine Laves phase distributed uniformly in FeCrAl-0.65 Nb alloy had good pinning effect and inhibited recrystallization.Higher Nb content had little effects on tensile properties of thin-wall tube,and induced the formation of larger Laves phase.There was less fine Laves phase pinning in the large area adjacent to the blocky Laves phase,which resulted in easy recrystallization in FeCrAl-1.2 Nb alloy.

Simple Measurement of Carbon Films on Copper Tubes and Their Effects on Corrosion

It has been reported that pitting corrosion in copper tubes occurs due to the effect of a carbon film produced by the influence of undergoing an oil and heat treatment. As a quantitative method for determining the residual carbon amount, it has been reported that the inner surface of a copper tube can be dissolved with a mixed acid to collect and analyze the adhering carbon;however, this method is dangerous and difficult. Therefore, two methods were examined as a simple quantitative method for obtaining the residual carbon amount using copper tubes with known residual carbon amounts. One method utilizes X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the other method utilizes the potential difference between the carbon film-adhered surface and carbon film-removed surface. In regard to XPS measurement, a linear correlation was found between the spectral intensity of C and the residual carbon amount;therefore, XPS measurements were considered to be effective as a simple measurement method for the carbon film on the inner surface of a copper tube. In the evaluation method by measuring the corrosion potential, a correlation was observed between the potential difference ΔE and the residual carbon amount of the inner surface of the tube and the outer surface of the polished tube. It is considered possible to estimate the residual carbon amount from the prepared calibration curve. Through these studies, it is suggested that the carbon film was non-uniformly present on the surface of the copper tube. Therefore, the galvanic current was measured, and the effect of a non-uniform carbon film on corrosion behavior was investigated. As a result, in the measurement of galvanic current, the current flowed from the copper tube with a large amount of residual carbon (cathode) to the copper tube with a small amount of residual carbon (anode). In addition, the higher the area ratio of the carbon film was, the larger the galvanic current tended to be.

Influence of annealing treatment on properties and microstructures of alumina dispersion strengthened copper alloy

Alumina dispersion strengthened copper（ADSC） alloy was produced by internal oxidation. The hardness, ultimate tensile strength and electrical conductivity measurements and microstructure observation on the produced 0.12%ADSC （0.24% Al2O3, mass fraction） and 0.25%ADSC （0.50% Al2O3） subjected to different annealing treatments were conducted. The results show that the microstructure of the produced ADSC is characterized by an uniform distribution of nano-Al2O3 particles in Cu-matrix; the particles range in size from 20 to 50 nm with an interparticle spacing of 30100 nm. The produced 0.12%ADSC can maintain more than 87% hardness retention after 900 ℃, 1 h annealing treatment; the recrystallization can be largely retarded and is not fully completed even after annealing at 1 000 ℃ for 1 h, followed by cold deformation of 84%; local grain growth can be observed after 1 050 ℃, 1 h annealing treatment. The results also show that increasing either the alumina content or cold deformation degree increases the hardness of the produced ADSC.

Compound forming technology of outside 3D integral fin of copper tubes

Using rolling-ploughing-extrusion compound processing methods,a 3D integral-fin structure on outside surface of red copper tube with diameter of 16.0 mm and wall thickness of 1.5 mm was obtained. When both rolling depth and ploughing-extrusion(P-E) depth were 0.2 mm,rotating speed was 50 r/min,feed speed was 0.16 mm/r,3D fin structures with height of 0.25 mm were gotten. Two different fin structures were obtained in grooves formed with rolling-ploughing-extrusion compound forming technology and observed by scanning electron microscope(SEM). One is the compound structure with V-shaped groove and U-shaped groove,and the other is the single structure with V-shaped grooves. Two kinds of groove structures obtained by rolling processing and ploughing extrusion processing are restricted together by groove interval and rolling depth,and pitch and P-E depth,respectively. Based on the analysis of interaction of rolling and P-E processing,it is found from the result that the outside 3D integral-fin can be achieved by rolling-ploughing-extrusion compound processing when single V-shaped groove structures are formed by both rolling and P-E processing.

Effect of Annealing Process on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ultrafine Copper Prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering

The spark plasma sintering （SPS） method is used to prepare the ultrafine copper with the average grain size less than 10 μm and the tensile strength greater than 280 MPa.The ultrafine copper is annealed at different temperatures for 60 min,and the annealing microstructure is observed and the hardness and the deformation behavior of the bulk copper are tested.The results indicate that the grains grow very slowly when the annealing temperature is less than 450 ℃.However,the grain growth becomes remarkable when the annealing temperature exceeds 450 ℃.And the plasticity of the bulk copper is the best when the annealing temperature of 450 ℃ is adopted.After stamping and spin forming,the deformed copper is recrystallized completely and the grain is refined when the copper is annealed at 500 ℃ for 30 min.

Ammonia corrosion analysis of copper tubes and experimental research on non-copper improvement for heat exchanger in power plant

Ammonia corrosion in copper tube will affect the safety of boiler running in power plant. Therefore, no copper in heating system has become a technical orientation in heat exchanger reconstruction, This paper analyzes the condition and mechanism of ammonia corrosion occurring in copper tube used in coal-fired power plants. Using a general steam condensation testing equipment only for horizontal single tube, with water vapor and water as working fluid, on two types of steel tube with 2-side enhancement heat transfer, namely, a spirally fluted tube and a ratchet tube with internal spiral groove （RISG tube） which was developed recently, a set of experimental tests are conducted to investigate the characteristics of heat transfer and hydromeehanics. In order to compare easily, both one copper smooth tube and one steel smooth tube are also used in the experiment. The experimental results, which get from single horizontal tube, show that the overall heat transfer coefficient of steel spirally fluted tube are improved by 10%o to 17%, and that of the steel RISG tube（22%-28%） is better than steel spirally fluted tube, its flow resistance coefficient is only increased by 22% to 66% when compared with smooth tube. Based on a lot of experimental data, the steel spirally fluted tube and the steel RISG tube were applied in a low pressure preheater and an oil-cooler of some or other power plant respectively. The field testing results showed that their heat transfer coefficient with each types of enhancement heat transfer tubes were improved by 2.5% and 21%-45% comparing with copper smooth tube heat exchangers. Both basic and field experiment indicates that the steel tube with 2-side enhancement heat transfer is an ideal choice for heat exchanger reconstruction in no copper issue in power plants.

Evolution of microstructure and texture in copper during repetitive extrusion-upsetting and subsequent annealing

The evolution of the microstructure and texture in copper has been studied during repetitive extrusionupsetting（REU） to a total von Mises strain of 4.7 and during subsequent annealing at different temperatures. It is found that the texture is significantly altered by each deformation pass. A duplex 001 ＋ 111 fiber texture with an increased 111 component is observed after each extrusion pass,whereas the 110 fiber component dominates the texture after each upsetting pass. During REU, the microstructure is refined by deformation-induced boundaries. The average cell size after a total strain of 4.7 is measured to be ~0.3 μm. This refined microstructure is unstable at room temperature as is evident from the presence of a small number of recrystallized grains in the deformed matrix. Pronounced recrystallization took place during annealing at 200？C for 1 h with recrystallized grains developing predominantly in high misorientation regions. At 350？C the microstructure is fully recrystallized with an average grain size of only 2.3 μm and a very weak crystallographic texture. This REU-processed and subsequently annealed material is considered to be potentially suitable for using as a material for sputtering targets.

Purification of copper foils driven by single crystallization

High-purity copper(Cu) with excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, is crucial in modern technological applications, including heat exchangers, integrated circuits, and superconducting magnets. The current purification process is mainly based on the zone/electrolytic refining or anion exchange, however, which excessively relies on specific integrated equipment with ultra-high vacuum or chemical solution environment, and is also bothered by external contaminants and energy consumption. Here we report a simple approach to purify the Cu foils from 99.9%(3N) to 99.99%(4N) by a temperature-gradient thermal annealing technique, accompanied by the kinetic evolution of single crystallization of Cu.The success of purification mainly relies on(i) the segregation of elements with low effective distribution coefficient driven by grain-boundary movements and(ii) the high-temperature evaporation of elements with high saturated vapor pressure.The purified Cu foils display higher flexibility(elongation of 70%) and electrical conductivity(104% IACS) than that of the original commercial rolled Cu foils(elongation of 10%, electrical conductivity of ~ 100% IACS). Our results provide an effective strategy to optimize the as-produced metal medium, and therefore will facilitate the potential applications of Cu foils in precision electronic products and high-frequency printed circuit boards.

Copper tube of Hailiang Co.,Ltd Will Utter the World's “Loudest Voice”

On September 20,the Sixth Board of Directors of Zhejiang Hailiang Co.,Ltd convened third meeting,which reviewed and approved the'Proposal on Accelerating Implementation of Industrial Upgrading,Expanding Production Scale,Optimizing Production Layout,in Order to Meet the Strategic Target of Becoming the World’s Most Powerful Copper Tube Manufacturer at the Earliest Possible Time'.

Golden Dragon to Launch a RMB 300 Million Copper Trading Project After Settling Its 80,000-Ton Precise Copper Tube Project In Wanzhou

On the morning of April 19,Golden Dragon Precise Copper Tube Group Inc.held a groundbreaking ceremony for its 80,000-ton precise copper tube project in the Wenzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone.It’s learned that Golden Dragon Group’s Wanzhou precision copper tube project