Preparation of rapidly solidified Cu-1.5%Be alloy ribbon

A Cu-1.5%Be alloy ribbon was prepared by single-roller rapid solidification method, and rapid solidification cooling rate was estimated according to the heat transport equilibrium equation. The microstructure and phase choice of the ribbon were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that when the line speed of the roll surface is between 29.93 m/s and 39.19 m/s, the cooling rate can get to 9.80105-1.63106 K/s . With the increase of roller speed and the decrease of eject pressure, the thickness and grain size of the ribbon gradually decrease. With increasing cooling rate, the effect of solute trapping is enhanced, the phase structure changes from multiphase to single phase. As the line speed reaches to 34.54 m/s, the single phase -Cu solid solution is formed in Cu-1.5%Be alloy, and the microstrcture of the ribbon becomes fine so that nanocrystalline could be formed. The cross-section microstructure of the alloy ribbon along the direction vertical to the wheel surface is characterized by fine equiaxed, columnar and coarse equiaxed gain.