This paper studied the electrical resistivity of in situ Cu-Fe microcomposites using theoretical analysis and experiments. The model alloys Cu-XFe (X = 3, 4.3, 11, 14 and 17 wt.%) were produced by casting, and the microcomposites were prepared by thermomechanical treatment. The solid solubility of iron in the copper matrix was measured using an energy dispersive spectrometer. The electrical resistivity and conductivity was evaluated using a micro-ohmmeter. The conductivity of the Cu-XFe (X = 3 and 4.3) was essentially constant at $ 40% IACS. The conductivity of the Cu-XFe (X = 11, 14, 17) microcomposites decreased in a nonlinear manner with increasing iron content and increasing cold deformation strain, which was mainly determined by the interface scattering resistivity caused by the interface between the copper matrix and the iron fibers.
The conductivity and strength of Cu-Fe composites are contradictory. Cryogenic treatment is a promising process to improve the conductivity and strength of materials at the same time. The impact of cryogenic treatment on a thermo-mechanically processed Cu-11Fe composite was studied using a digital micro-ohmmeter, a tensile testing machine and optical microscopy. The average size of the iron grain in the cryogenically treating Cu-11Fe alloy decreased and the distribution was more uniform after the cryogenic treatment. The grain refinement and the distribution uniformity increased with improving cryogenic treatment time. The elongation to fracture and tensile strength improved first with increasing cryogenic treatment time to a peak value at 18 h and 12 h respectively, and subsequently tended to be stable at longer cryogenic treatment time. The electrical resistivity decreased first with the increase of cryogenic treatment time, then reached an electrical resistivity valley value at 18 h, and subsequently tended to be stable at longer cryogenic treatment time.
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