Microstructure and properties of Cu-Ag, Cu-Ag-Cr and Cu-Ag-Cr-RE alloys

The filamentary composites of copper-silver alloys contained with chromium and rare earth elements have been prepared by cold drawing combined with intermediate heat treatments. The microstructure and properties during cold working have been investigated. With increasing draw ratio, the tensile strength increases, the electrical conductivity reduces and the microstructure refines. The tensile strength is significantly enhanced if a certain amount of chromium is added to the Cu -Ag alloys but the electrical conductivity is reduced. Suitable microalloying of rare earth elements in the Cu -Ag alloys containing Cr additions improves the tensile strength to a certain degree while the electrical conductivity is hardly reduced.