Development of Cu-Nb alloy microcomposite conductors for high field pulsed magnets. Final report

Primary goal is to develop high strength-high conductivity composite wires with enhanced cross section. The following research areas were started: melting, deformation, TEM, SEM, and mechanical/electrical characterization of in-situ Cu-Nb microcomposites. Consumable arc melting using initial composite electrodes produced by cold deformation was chosen for preparing initial ingots of Cu-(16- 18)wt%Nb alloy. The deformation process including extrusion, drawing with intermediate heat treatments, and rolling was analyzed. Structure of Cu-Nb composite was investigated at all stages of its fabrication. Rebundling was successfully used to manufacture conductors with enhanced cross sections. Wire with 3x7mm{sup 2} cross section and 50m length was produced with UTS (20 C) = 1000 MPa and electroconductivity 70% IACS