Change in mechanical properties of fine copper wire manufactured by continuous draw-bending process.

Abstract

The range of applications of copper electric wire in automobiles is becoming broader owing to the increase in the use of embedded computer-controlled devices. At present, the demand for lightweight vehicles is necessitating the use of ultrafine copper wires. In the present study, new continuous bending-drawing process to manufacture ultrafine electric wire is proposed, and the mechanical properties and microstructure evolution of copper alloy deformed by the process was systematically investigated. It was confirmed that change of deformation induced microstructure that was introduced by the process have great effects on the successful manufacturing of ultrafine wire with excellent mechanical properties.