Characterization and study of a Cu-Be-Co alloy

Abstract

The characterization of materials is a tool that allows determining a wide range of properties such as their degree of resistance and reliability, as well as the limits of their possible applications. The development of this research work aims to know the properties of a copper-beryllium-cobalt alloy using optical and scanning electron microscopy, as well as impact and traction tests. The results show that the same thermal cycle that produces high strength also decreases toughness. The fractographic characteristics of the samples tested at different load application rates (impact and tension test) allow us to infer that the increase in the fragility of the material can be identified by the characteristics and appearance of the fracture surfaces of any of the tests used. It is then concluded that brittleness is related (possibly) to precipitation at grain boundaries and this process leads to a decrease in the deformability of the material.