High-strength, high-nitrogen stainless steel–copper composite wires for conductors in pulsed high-field magnets

Abstract

Copper/high-nitrogen austenitic stainless steel macrocomposites based on Cr–Ni steel and Cr–Mn steel, respectively, were fabricated by the ‘rod-in-tube’ technology. A strength level of 1.2 GPa was achieved at room temperature for both composites (Cu fractions ≈53 vol.%). In composites with Cr–Mn steel, the necessary intermediate heat treatments during the drawing process lead to the formation of a low melting Cu–Mn alloy at the interface Cu/steel, which finally requires the use of a diffusion barrier.