Process optimization for advanced high conductivity-high strength materials

On the basis of investigations carried out earlier, two types of high strength-high conductivity Cu-Nb wires have been designed and appropriate manufacturing processes have been proposed and experimentally approved. Long length conductors with rectangular cross sections 4 x 6 mm{sup 2} and 2 x 3 mm{sup 2} have been fabricated by the in situ process and by the bundle and deform process, which eliminates the operation of melting, accordingly. Investigation on the microstructure of both types of the fabricated wires has been conducted. Mechanical properties and electrical conductivity parameters have been measured also