The influences of copper on microstructure and the hardening behavior of high chromium cast irons subjected to sub-critical treatment were investigated.The results show that the mierostructure of the as-cast high chromium cast irons consists of retained austenite,martensite and M7 C3 type eutectic carbide.When copper is added into high chromium cast irons,austenite and carbide contents are increased.The increased addition of copper content from 0%to 1.84%leads to the increase of austenite and carbide from 15.9%and 20.0% to 61.0%and 35.5%,respectively.In the process of sub-critical treatment,the retained austenite in the matrix can be precipitated into secondary carbides and then transforms into martensite in cooling process,which causes the secondary hardening of the alloy under sub-critical treatment.High chromium cast irons containing copper in sub-critical treatment appear the second hardening curve peak due to the precipitation of copper from supersaturated matrix.