Microstructure evolution and performance of Cu-10Fe-2Ag-0.15Zr in situ composite by cold rolling

The deformation processed Cu based in situ composite has high physical and mechanical performance. In this paper, Cu-10Fe-2Ag-0.15Zr in situ composite was designed and prepared by cold drawing and cold rolling processes. Fe was the main additional element in order to lower the cost. The microstructure evolution was explored by SEM during the plastic deformation. It was shown that Fe fibres were produced during rolling process and the tensile strength of Cu-Fe in situ composite was increased. The effect of distance between Fe fibres on tensile strength was also analysed. Certainly, the intermediate annealing was achieved in the intermittence of rolling to improve the composite's plasticity. Good performance matching of the tensile strength and the electrical conductivity was 713 MPa/61.3% IACS.