Development of high-strength, high-conductivity Cu–Ag alloys for high-field pulsed magnet use

Abstract

A wire-conductor fabrication method has been developed for Cu–Ag alloys containing 2–60 at. % Ag where high strength and high conductivity conductors are obtained by cold working combined with intermediate heat treatment. The intermediate heat treatment is repeated 3–4 times at 350–450 °C for 1–2 h at appropriate stages of reduction of area. The optimized Cu-16 at. % Ag alloy wire with 99% reduction of area showed a tensile strength of 1000 MPa and an electrical conductivity of 80% IACS at room temperature. This suggests that the wires fabricated may be very promising for high-field pulsed magnet use.