Low cycle fatigue behavior of Cu-Cr-Zr-La alloys

Abstract The low fatigue properties of Cu-Cr-0.1Zr-0.07La alloy were tested at room temperature. The Cu-Cr-0.1Zr-0.07La (mass fraction, %) alloy was synthesized using a medium-frequency vacuum casting furnace under an argon atmosphere, followed by successive processes of uniformization, thermal rolling, solid solution processing, and aging, resulting in the ultimate formation of an alloy. The fatigue properties of the alloy under various strain amplitudes were studied by fatigue test, and the fracture morphology of the alloy was analyzed by scanning electronic microscope (SEM). The results indicate that the fatigue life of alloy is 11,808 cycles, 5,121 cycles, and 804 cycles for overall strain amplitude of 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4%, respectively. The amplitude of elastic strain in Cu-Cr-0.1Zr-0.07La alloys can be indicated by the Basquin equation. The plastic strain amplitude is described by the Coffin-Manson equation. Furthermore, the crack propagation region of Cu-Cr-0.1Zr-0.07La alloy exhibits observable tear edges and a limited presence of dimple morphology.