Mechanical properties of Cu-based Micro- and Macrocomposites

There is a need for high-strength and highly-conducting materials for applications such as pulsed high magnetic field coils. Two difficult approaches were studied in order to strengthen copper-based conductor materials. On the one hand, microcomposite Cu-Ag alloys yield high strength as a consequence of their nanoscale microstructure and, on the other, hand a Cu-based macrocomposite can be strengthened by the use of a steel jacket. In both cases the increase of strength coincides with a decrease of conductivity. Thus, the ideal material balances between these two competing properties.