Microstructure and tensile properties of nanostructured Cu-25wt%Ag Original Research Article

The microstructure and textures of nanostructured Cu-25wt%Ag are shown to relate to its phase transformation, fabrication and mechanical properties. The analysis was undertaken by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-Ray texture, tensile tests and analytical modeling. The Cu-25wt%Ag is described by two components in the model: (1) eutectic component which is a composite of nanosized Cu and Ag (2) proeutectic Cu component embedded with Ag nano-fibers formed below the eutectic temperature. In both cast and forged samples, the Cu and Ag always have cube-on-cube orientation relationship in proeutectic component, but they have the orientation relationship only in selected eutectic areas. The orientation relationship maintains the same in cast, forged and drawn Cu-Ag materials only in proeutectic regions. The deformation enhances the tensile strength of the materials by decreasing the size of various Cu and Ag phases in the radial direction of the wire in both components.