Effects of Ni Addition on the Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Cu-15 mass%Cr In-Situ Composites

Abstract

Effects of Ni and Al addition on the mechanical and electrical properties in the Cu-15 mass%Cr in-situ composite are examined. The process consists of melting, hot forging, heavy cold rolling and aging. Ni is partitioned into the Cr phase to make an intermetallic precipitates. The Cr phase in the Cu-15 mass%Cr-10 mass%Ni shows 3.6 times harder compared with the Cu matrix resulting in the poor cold drawability and low strength. The addition of 1 mass% Ni and 0.15 mass%Al is recommended to get good cold drawability and high strength, but it is necessary to make a compound such as Ni₃Al to increase the electrical conductivity.