The Cu-1Cr-0.1Zr alloy shows a very good thermal stability up to 550 °C after ECAP.
A discontinuous recrystallization was found to occur and PSN mechanism was evidenced.
The annealing texture was found weak and some new components appear.
Hardening is attributed to the Cr clustering followed by the Cu51Zr14 precipitation.
Softening is a result of recrystallization and grain growth progressing.