Research on Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Cu-Ag Alloys Designed for the Construction of High Magnetic Field Generators

Abstract

The individual sections, wiring and construction of electromagnet windings responsible for strong magnetic field impulses may be one application for hypoeutectic Cu-Ag alloys. High electrical properties and mechanical properties (tensile strength, yield strength, impact strength) as well as high heat, fatigue and rheological resistance are required for these kinds of applications due to the unique nature of such operations (strong vibrations of high frequency and amplitude resulting from Lorenz forces and the possibility of significant and rapid heating from Jule’s heat). The limited solubility of copper and silver in the solid state enables the effective modification of the alloys’ microstructure through heat treatment and further shaping of their high mechanical and electrical properties via cold plastic working. The article presents the manufacturing of Cu-Ag alloys with the weight percent of Ag between 3 and 7 using the continuous casting process along with research on the physicochemical, mechanical and electrical properties of the obtained casts. The research on the amount of plastic deformation and its influence on the wire drawing process and the mechanical and electrical properties of the wires is also discussed. The temperature coefficients of resistance were defined in order to determine the temperature influence on the electrical resistance changes dynamics. The microstructural analysis was carried out in the as-cast state. The preliminary research conducted indicates that the obtained Cu-Ag alloys in the as-cast state exhibit a set of high mechanical and electrical properties. The prospective next stage of research includes the selection of favourable heat treatment parameters which would provide optimally modified microstructure of the alloys, as well as determining the deformation coefficients allowing for further increases in the mechanical and electrical properties.

Prospective cold metal working and analysis of deformation susceptibility of CuMg alloys with high magnesium content

“…However, as there are more and more demanding requirements regarding mechanical properties of certain products it turns out that pure copper is not always sufficient as its mechanical properties are limited 1 , 2 . These are, among others but not limited to, electromagnet windings 3 , 4 , medical equipment 5 , heat exchangers 6 , 7 or automotive industry applications 8 .…”

Research on Alloying Elements’ Influence on CuETP-Grade Copper’s Mechanical and Electrical Properties

“…It should also be noted that individual elements will have different effects on the mechanical properties of the obtained copper alloys depending on the strengthening mechanism [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. The copper alloys typically used for electrical purposes are alloys containing up to a 1 wt.% addition of other elements, i.e., Cu-Cr, Cu-Zr, Cu-Ag, Cu-Cd, Cu-Mg, Cu-Cr-Zr, Cu-Sn, Cu-Ni-Si, Cu-Ti and Cu-Zn, which are characterized by an electrical conductivity ranging from 58 MS/m down to 5 MS/m and a tensile strength ranging from 180 MPa (for pure copper in a annealed state) to 950 MPa [ 13 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. The schematic range of properties of various of the most popular copper alloys is shown in Figure 2 .…”