Ageing effect on the properties of CuCrZr alloy used for the ITER HHF components

The tensile properties and structure changes due to various heat treatments of CuCrZr alloy with the composition specified for high heat flux components of ITER have been measured. The material was solution annealed at 970-1000 degrees C for 0.5-1 h and water quenched. The ageing temperatures were 350-650 degrees C and ageing times 1-180 min. Temperature-time diagrams of properties changes have been plotted. This gives guidelines for the selection of manufacturing heat treatments and prediction of the strength and ductility of CuCrZr alloy after applied manufacturing cycles. The effects of secondary heat treatment have also been studied. After first ageing at 480 degrees C for 2 h, an additional heat treatment at 650-750 degrees C was applied. The tensile properties after the applied heat treatments are presented. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.