Development of a high strength, high conductivity copper-silver alloy for pulsed magnets

The development of highly conductive materials with high strength is requisite for conductors of high-field magnets. To develop such materials, Cu-Ag alloys (2-60 at.%) and their fabrication methods have been investigated. The Cu-Ag alloys were prepared by melting electrolytic Cu and pure Ag pellets in an argon atmosphere, and then cold-drawn to a 99.2% reduction in area. The heat treatments were performed several times during the drawing process. The strength and conductivity of the Cu-Ag alloys vary with thermomechanical treatments. The optimum combination of high strength and high electrical conductivity was obtained by cold-drawing the alloy with intermediate heat treatments at 350-450°C for 1-2 h. The intermediate-heat-treated Cu-16 at.% Ag composite with 99% reduction in area had an ultimate tensile strength of 1000 MPa and an electrical conductivity of 80 IACS.% at room temperature