Heat Treatment Effect on the Magnetic Properties of Cu-Nb Micro-Composites

We develop Cu-Nb micro-composites with high strength and conductivity by bundling and drawing process for high pulsed field magnets. We report the heat treatment effect on the magnetic, mechanical properties of Cu-17 vol.% Nb composites. Within the heat treat temperature of 450°C ~ 800°C, noticeable changes take place in the magnetic properties of composites, since recovery and recrystallization of the Nb fibers and the Cu matrix happen under different treatment conditions. The characteristic of magnetic hysteresis curves caused by the proximity effect and controlled by the Cu/Nb interface structure of the Cu-Nb micro-composites is discussed.