High-strength high-conductivity Cu-Nb microcomposite sheet fabricated via multiple roll bonding

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993 · Metallurgical Transactions, A (Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02669597· OSTI ID:6133638

Jha, S C; Delagi, R G; Forster, J A ^[1]; Krotz, P D ^[2]

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1. Texas Instruments Materials and Control Group, Attleboro, MA (United States)
2. Rockwell International Corp., Huntsville, AL (United States)

Copper-niobium microcomposites are a new class of high-strength high-conductivity materials that have attractive properties for room- and elevated-temperature applications. Since Nb has little solid solubility in Cu, addition of Nb to Cu does not affect its conductivity. Copper-niobium microcomposites are melted and cast so that the microstructure of cast Cu-Nb ingots consists of 1- to 10 [mu]m Nb dendrites uniformly distributed within the copper matrix. Extensive wire drawing with a true processing strain ([eta][gt] 12) of Cu-Nb alloy leads to refinement and elongation of Nb dendrites into 1- to 10 nm-thick filaments. The presence of such fine Nb filaments causes a significant increase in the strength of Cu-Nb wires. The tensile strength of heavily drawn Cu-Nb wires was determined to be significantly higher than the values predicted by the rule of mixtures. This article reports the fabrication of high-strength Cu-Nb microcomposite sheet by multiple roll bonding. It is difficult and impractical to attain high processing strains ([eta][gt]3) by simple cold rolling. In most practical cold-rolling operation, the thickness reduction does not exceed 90 pct ([eta] [approx equal]2). Therefore, innovative processing is required to generate high strength in Cu-Nb microcomposite sheet. Multiple roll bonding of Cu-Nb has been utilized to store high processing strain ( [eta][gt]10) in the material and refine the Nb particle size within the copper matrix. This article describes the microstructure, mechanical properties, and thermal stability of roll-bonded Cu-Nb microcomposite sheet.

• OSTI ID: 6133638
• Journal Information: Metallurgical Transactions, A (Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science); (United States), Vol. 24:1; ISSN 0360-2133
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
MICROSTRUCTURE
STABILITY
TENSILE PROPERTIES
COPPER BASE ALLOYS
NIOBIUM ALLOYS
CASTING
COLD WORKING
ELONGATION
EXTRUSION
FILAMENTS
MELTING
ROLLING
SOLUBILITY
ALLOYS
COPPER ALLOYS
FABRICATION
MATERIALS
MATERIALS WORKING
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
360602* - Other Materials- Structure & Phase Studies
360603 - Materials- Properties
360606 - Other Materials- Physical Properties- (1992-)