Effect of Deformation, Annealing and Doping with Zr on Nb Filaments Nanocrystalline Structure in High-Strength In Situ Cu-Nb Composites

The structure and properties of in situ Cu-Nb composites have been studied by the methods of TEM and SEM, X-ray analysis and mechanical testing. The evolution of Nb filaments structure at drawing and the effect of annealing and doping with Zr on the composites structure and texture have been investigated. Sharp fibre texture with Nb develops in the ribbon-shaped Nb filaments, while the Cu matrix possesses a two-component fibre texture, Cu and Cu, appreciably affected by annealing. Annealing results in softening due to Nb filaments coagulation. In Zr doped composites two types of ZrO2 particles are observed, dispersed and coarse ones. The former result in the dispersion strengthening, while the latter may cause embrittlement.