Microstructure and properties of deformation-processed Cu-Fe in-situ composites

The effects of intermediate annealings on the microstructure, the strength and the electrical resistivity of deformation-processed Cu-Fe in-situ composites were studied. The results show that intermediate annealings favour the formation of uniform tiny fibres from the iron dendrites but they have no obvious effect on the strength of the composite. The bigger the strain is, the higher the strength is. As the strain increases, the resistivity increases due to the increase of interface density. Intermediate annealings result in notable decreasing resistivity due to the precipitation of the iron atoms from the Cu matrix and decrease of solute scattering resistivity. The doping with Zr improves the strength of the composite slightly and the ultimate tensile strength(UTS) increases about 10%. The colligated performances of deformation-processed Cu-11.5%Fe and Cu- 11.5%Fe-Zr composites at strain η= 5.37 are 64.6% IACS/752MPa and 61.4% IACS/824MPa respectively.