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Microstructural size effects in high-strength high-conductivity Cu-Cr-Nb alloys

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Abstract

Microstructural refinement to further improve the strength and stability of high-strength high-conductivity Cu-Cr-Nb alloys was attained by mechanical milling (MM). Mechanically milled Cu-4Cr-2Nb and Cu-8Cr-2Nb exhibited an increase in hot-pressed Vickers hardness of 122 and 96 pct, respectively. Mechanical milling produced a corresponding decrease in electrical conductivity of ∼33 pct for both alloys. The increase in hardness was more due to Cu grain-size refinement than to second-phase particle-size refinement. The drop in conductivity was due to second-phase particle-size refinement, which both increased particle/matrix interfacial area and solute solubility. Mechanically processed Cu-4Cr-2Nb displayed an enhanced thermal stability. Hot-pressed 4-hour milled Cu-4Cr-2Nb experienced a 30 pct increase in conductivity with only a 22 pct drop in hardness when annealed at 1273 K for 50 hours. Such changes were largely due to an increase in dispersed-particle size (i.e., a decrease in solute and interfacial electron scattering) and Cu grain size (reduced Hall-Petch effect), respectively. The optimum hardness and conductivity combination was found in 4-hour milled and hot-pressed Cu-4Cr-2Nb material.

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Author notes

  1. Ken R. Anderson (Research Assistant Senior Engineer)

    Present address: the Chemical Engineering/Materials Science Department, University of California-Davis, 95616, Davis, CA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, 15722-0079, West Mifflin, PA

    Ken R. Anderson (Research Assistant Senior Engineer)

  2. the Chemical Engineering/Materials Science Department, University of California-Davis, 95616, Davis, CA

    Joanna R. Groza (Professor)

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  1. Ken R. Anderson
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  2. Joanna R. Groza
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Anderson, K.R., Groza, J.R. Microstructural size effects in high-strength high-conductivity Cu-Cr-Nb alloys. Metall Mater Trans A 32, 1211–1224 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-001-0130-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-001-0130-x

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