Modelling of Hardness and Electrical Conductivity of Cu-4Ti (wt.%) Alloy and Estimation of Aging Parameters Using Metaheuristic Algorithms

This study focuses on cold deformation and age effects on the microhardness and electric conductivity of the Cu-4Ti (wt.%) alloys. The samples were solution treated at 900 °C, quenched in water, and aged at 450-600 °C for 1-120 min. Fifty percent cold rolling was performed before aging to analyze the impact on their microstructure and properties. Hardness and electric conductivity were examined by the Vickers microhardness and Förster testing. Hardness increased significantly while electric conductivity was maintained. The optimal hardness of 298 HV appeared following 50% cold rolling and aging for 120 min at 450 °C, and an electric conductivity of 9.4 MS/m was achieved after 120 min at 600 °C in cold-rolled materials. The deformed and solution-treated materials reached 244 HV after 120 min at 500 °C, and electric conductivity reached 7.7 MS/m. Polynomial models of regression were used to analyze the impact of aging parameters on properties. Process parameters were properly optimized by applying metaheuristic algorithms. These contributions ensure a better understanding of the relationship between the microstructure and properties in Cu-Ti alloys, as well as their application in aircraft and electronics.