Abstract
In recent years, lighter materials are prone to be demanded particularly in the field of transportation as a solution of global environment problems. Because aluminum has a relatively small density and high electric conductivity, 30% and 60% of those of copper, respectively, replacing wiring cable materials from copper to aluminum cause weight saving at the same electric conductivity level. However, the strength of aluminum must be improved by alloying etc. keeping its high electric conductivity when applied to the actual wire cables. Specimens of Al- l.lmass%Cu alloys with Zr up to 0.2mass% were induction-melted, continuously cast into a round bar of 8mm in diameter and then cold-drawn. Tensile test and assessment of the electric conductivity were carried out. As a result, tensile properties and work hardening behavior were not affected seriously by the Zr addition, while electrical conductivity was significantly decreased as the addition amount increased.
