MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF Cu-Nb WIRE COMPOSITES

Nowadays, there is much activity all over the world in development of Cu-Nb composites for their potential use as conductors in high field magnets. This study was aimed at investigation of microstructure, mechanical and electrical properties of Cu-Nb composite wires. The investigated materials have been processed by vacuum furnace melting and casting, and then hot forging and cold drawing. Initial results of research into Cu-Nb composite material obtained using repeated iterative drawing of niobium wires compacted into copper tube, have been also presented in this article. The ultimate tensile strength versus cold deformation degree has been presented. These changes have been discussed in relation to microstructure evolution. It was assumed that repeated drawing of compacted wires is a promising method for fibrous composite production (more than 823,000 Nb fibres of nanometric diameter) characterized by high mechanical properties and electrical conductivity. Original SPD technique applied for Cu-Nb composite deformation result in initial microstructure refinement and improves effectiveness of wire production process.