Microstructure and properties of CuCr alloy manufactured by selective laser melting

CuCr alloys with Cr contents of 20 wt% and 25 wt% were prepared by selective laser melting (SLM) using mixed powders. Microstructural evolution and effect of aging on the microstructure and properties (electrical conductivity and hardness) of SLM CuCr alloys were investigated. The results show that because of rapid solidification during SLM, the Cr-rich phase can be refined to 50-800 nm, and Cu is supersaturated. The electrical conductivity and hardness were improved by an aging treatment, and both are superior to those of CuCr alloys fabricated by the current methods. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.