A Review of Studies on the Influence of Rare-Earth Elements on the Microstructures and Properties of Copper and Copper Alloys and Relevant Applications
Jinsong Liu, Wenhui Yu, Dayong Chen, Songwei Wang, Hong-Wu Song, Shihong Zhang
Abstract
The rapid advancements in electronics, electric vehicles, and green technologies have imposed increasingly stringent demands on copper-based materials. These requirements include high thermal and electricity conductivity, corrosion resistance, and strength properties at both room temperature and high temperatures. Rare-earth elements are excellent microalloying agents due to their typical metallic properties and highly active chemical characteristics; these properties and characteristics enable them to react with almost all elements except noble gases. The addition of rare-earth elements to copper and copper alloys can have several beneficial effects, such as impurity removal, purification, enhancement of the metallographic structure, and improved corrosion resistance. These effects can also raise the heat treatment temperature and enhance plastic processing, thereby further improving the overall properties of copper alloys. This review examines the influence of rare-earth elements (REEs) on copper and its alloys, along with their diverse industrial applications. It was found that elements such as La, Ce, Y, and Nd are commonly added to enhance properties like electrical conductivity, strength, corrosion resistance, purity, and hot workability in alloys such as pure copper, Cu-Ni-Si, Cu-Cr-Zr, and Cu-Fe-P. The review will lay a foundation and provide novel method for the development of advanced copper alloy.