Application of in situ-formed metallic-fiber-reinforced copper matrix composites to cables used for robots

The newly developed cable used for a robot was shown to have its excellent durability against cyclic and flexural deformation, when composed of in sit u-formed metallic-fiber-reinforced copper matrix composites (in situ MMCs) as electric conductors, where the metallic fiber was, for example, niobium or chromium, The durability determined by a cyclic and flexural deformation test was one order magnitude higher than that of a conventional cable whos e electric conductor was composed of a Cu-0.3 mass%Sn alloy. A noteworthy f eature observed in the present in situ-formed chromium fiber is that the me an size of the formed chromium ribbon like fiber was below 1.0 mu m in widt h and around 10 nm in thickness, which could result in an extremely high el astic limit of beyond 1000 MPa. The superior durability of the present robo t cable is mainly due to the fact that robot operations are in the elastic region of the present electric conductors. The electric conductivity of sam ples was around 70%IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard).