Strength and conductivity ofin situ Cu-Fe alloys

TLDR: In this paper, a curve of optimum tensile strength against electrical conductivity was determined for alloys of Cu-Fe with iron contents from 10 to 30 wt %, and it was suggested that further improvements may be possible in Cu-Nb alloys by improved thermal mechanism processing.

Abstract: Alloys of Cu-Fe with iron contents from 10 to 30 wt % have been prepared by casting plus mechanical reduction. A series of heat treatments was done at various stages of the mechanical reduction to promote precipitation of the iron from the copper matrix with the hope of optimizing electrical conductivity at a given strength level. A curve of optimum tensile strength against electrical conductivity was determined. It was found to lie significantly below the available data for Cu-Nb alloys and it is suggested that further improvements may be possible in Cu-Fe alloys by improved thermal mechanism processing.