Cu nanowhiskers embedded in Nb nanotubes inside a multiscale Cu matrix: the way to reach extreme mechanical properties in high strength conductors
Résumé
For the development of high pulsed magnets, reinforced Cu/Nb/Cu conductors composed of a multiscale Cu matrix embeddingNb nanotubes were produced by severe plastic deformation. While the Nb nanotubes exhibit a rather homogeneous microstructurewith maximum grain size of 100 nm andh110itexture, a complex microstructure was pointed out in the Cu matrix with bimodalgrain size distribution and duplex texture (h111iandh200iorientations). The Cu/Nb/Cu system is also characterized by elevatedtensile strength that follows a modified rule of mixture. The Cu nanofilaments inside Nb nanotubes behave as nanowhiskers.