INVESTIGATION OF A CU-20 MASS-PERCENT NB IN-SITU COMPOSITE .2. ELECTROMAGNETIC PROPERTIES AND APPLICATION

Fiber or ribbon reinforced in situ metal matrix composites (MMCs) cons isting of Cu and 20 mass% Nb were produced by large strain wire drawin g and cold rolling of a cast ingot. The microstructure of the composit es was studied by use of scanning and transmission electron microscopy . The normal and superconducting properties of the wires and sheets in the presence of externally imposed magnetic fields were investigated and compared with the electromagnetic properties of pure Cu and Nb. Th e observations are discussed in terms of the microstructural changes d uring wire drawing and rolling. The current results substantiate that the amount of internal phase boundaries and the filament spacing have considerable influence on the normal and superconducting properties of Cu-20 mass% Nb. On the basis of the current findings potential indust rial applications are discussed.