Effect of Elevated Temperature and Annealing Time on Mechanical Properties of Ti/Cu Bimetal

The paper presents the results of the elastoplastic properties of Ti/Cu bimetallic rods. They were obtained by extrusion and composed of a copper core with a covered titanium layer. Experiments were carried out at room temperature on virgin samples, and samples were subjected to prior annealing in the temperature range of 600–900 °C for 30, 60, and 90 min. The modern technique of impulse excitation of vibration was used to analyze the elastic properties of bimetal, obtaining the temperature and time characteristics of Young’s modulus, internal friction, and resonance frequency variability. Subsequently, the samples were stretched to breakage, obtaining information on the values of limit stresses, their deformability, and the energy demand for uniform elastic–plastic deformation in terms of the effect of temperature and annealing time. The influence of thermal processes on the strengthening of the Ti/Cu bimetal was also examined, and microscopic observations and qualitative analysis of the diffusion zone at the interface of the phases were carried out. The research was to answer the question of how a short-term temperature increase in 600–900 °C affects the physical properties of Ti/Cu bimetallic rods. These rods were used as a high-density electric current carrier in metallurgical processes in environments of aggressive chemical compounds. Studies have shown that short-term annealing at elevated temperatures causes a drastic reduction in the strength of the Ti/Cu bimetal, leading to structural changes within the components, and the diffusion zone with the release of intermetallic compounds, leading to structural degradation. Heating at 900 °C for 60 and 90 min caused accelerated interface degradation and destruction of the Ti/Cu bimetal by delamination.