The effect of the Ni/Si mass ratio and combined thermomechanical treatment on the microstructure and properties of ternary Cu-Ni-Si alloys is discussed systematically. The Cu-Ni-Si alloy with a Ni/Si mass ratio of 4–5 showed good comprehensive properties. Precipitates with disc-like shapes were confirmed as the Ni₂Si phase with orthorhombic structure through transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and 3D atom probe characterization. After the appropriate thermomechanical treatment, the studied alloy with a Ni/Si mass ratio of 4.2 exhibited excellent mechanical properties: a hardness of 290 HV, tensile strength of 855 MPa, yield strength of 782 MPa, and elongation of 4.5%. Compared with other approaches, the thermomechanical treatment increased the hardness and strength without sacrificing electrical conductivity. Theoretical calculations indicated that the high strength was primarily attributed to the Orowan precipitation strengthening and secondarily ascribed to the work hardening, which were highly consistent with the experimental results. The appropriate Ni/Si mass ratio with a low content of Ni and Si atoms shows high strength and excellent electrical conductivity through combined thermomechanical treatment. This work provides a guideline for the design and preparation of multicomponent Cu-Ni-Si-X alloys with ultrahigh strength and excellent electrical conductivity.

The properties and microstructure evolution of quaternary Cu-Ni-Co-Si alloys with different Ni/Co mass ratios were investigated. The microstructure and morphological characteristics of the precipitates were analyzed by using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The mechanical properties and conductivity of the alloys were significantly improved after the addition of Co. The grains presented an obvious growth trend with an increase in Ni/Co mass ratios, and the appropriate Co accelerated the recrystallization process. The δ-(Ni, Co)₂Si phases of the Cu-Ni-Co-Si alloys and δ-Ni₂Si phases of the Cu-Ni-Si alloys shared the same crystal structure and orientation relationships with the matrix, which had two variant forms: δ₁ and δ₂ phases. The precipitates preferential grew along with the direction of the lowest energy and eventually exhibited two different morphologies. Compared with that of the Cu-Ni-Si alloy, the volume fraction of precipitates in the alloys with Co was significantly improved, accompanied by an increase in the precipitated phase size. The addition of Co promoted the precipitation of the precipitated phase and further purified the matrix. A theoretical calculation was conducted for different strengthening mechanisms, and precipitation strengthening was the key reinforcement mechanism. Moreover, the kinetic equations of both alloys were obtained and coincided well with the experimental results.

The properties and microstructural evolution of quaternary Cu-Ni-Co-Si alloys with different Ni/Co mass ratios are investigated systematically. These alloys exhibit higher mechanical properties when the Ni/Co mass ratio is 1.12-1.95 (NC-4-NC-5) and show excellent electrical conductivity when the Ni/Co mass ratio is 0.05-0.5 (NC-1-NC-3). With an increase in the Ni/Co ratio, the dimension of precipitated phase continues to increase and the grain size also visibly grows and coarsens. At the same time, the precipitation process of the NC-5 alloy is the most adequate, resulting in the highest mechanical properties. In addition, the precipitated phase in the alloys was confirmed to be the (Ni, Co)₂Si composite phase. The number of Ni₂Si phases in the precipitated phase gradually increased, and the Ni atoms exhibited the strongest co-segregation alongside the increasing Ni/Co ratio. Compared with the alloy without a Co element, the addition of Co helped refine the grain size and accelerate the precipitation of the particle phase and purify solute atoms in the matrix, thereby simultaneously improving mechanical properties and conductivity. The present work provides a new method for the development of multicomponent Cu-Ni-Si-Co-X alloys with outstanding comprehensive performance.

The microstructure and properties of a Cu–Ni–Co–Si alloy were investigated through high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and three-dimensional atom probe analysis after aging at 500°C for various times. Characterisation along different diffraction directions showed that precipitate morphology was disk shaped. The concentration profiles for Ni, Co, and Si were flattened in the precipitate interiors at levels of approximately 30, 35, and 35 at.-%, respectively. The co-segregation of Co was more significant than that of Ni and Si owing to the extremely low solubility in the matrix at room temperature. Theoretical calculations excellently agreed with the experimental data, which demonstrated that solid solution scattering and the Orowan bypass mechanism were the key reinforcement mechanisms for electrical and mechanical properties, respectively. Highlights The crystallography and morphology of precipitates in a peak aged Cu–Ni–Co–Si alloy are investigated in detail at different diffraction directions. Disk-shaped (Ni, Co)₂Si precipitates are confirmed through 3DAP characterization. The distribution maps of Ni, Co, and Si alloying elements are investigated. Meanwhile, the segregation of the elements in the alloy are analyzed. The strengthening mechanism and conductivity curve of Cu–1.82 Ni–1.62 Co–0.86 Si alloy (wt-%) aged at 500°C for 2 h (peak aged state) are discussed, and theoretical calculations are in excellent agreement with the experimental data.