Microstructure and properties of deformation-processed Cu-11Cr-0.07Ag in situ composite

Deformation-processed Cu-11Cr-0.07Ag in situ composite was prepared by the cast and the thermo-mechanical treatment process. The microstructure, mechanical and electrical properties were investigated by scanning electronic microscope, tensile-testing machine and microhmmeter. The results indicate that, with increasing cold deformation strain, the initially randomly distributed Cr dendrites in the as-cast Cu-11Cr-0.07Ag alloy transform into Cr fibres of the deformation-processed in situ composite aligned parallel to the drawing axis, and the tensile strength increases, while the conductivity decreases. The good combination of strength and conductivity of the deformation-processed Cu-11Cr-0.07Ag in situ composite is achieved by using the proper cold deformation and heat treatment. The composite achieves a tensile strength of 851 MPa and a conductivity of 73.9% IACS when the cold deformation strain is 8.