By Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden - IFW Dresden
The acivities as given below were performed to obtain the best possible combination of strength and conductivity in metals. Alloys with both high strength and high conductivity have been produced by mechanical alloying. Nanocrystalline Cu and Cu–Nb alloys were prepared by the consolidation of mechanically alloyed powder. The alloys show a microstructure with a grain size below 50 nm. Ultra strong CuAg-based conductor materials have been developed and tested in pulsed high-field magnets. The possibility to adjust the microstructure by thermal and mechanical treatments builds the basis to develop highly strengthened conductor materials, which materials properties have to be fitted to the case of applications within a broad range of application.
