Microstructure, texture and magnetic properties of Ni–Cu–W substrates for coated conductors

• Published in: Materials letters 2013-02, Vol.92, p.386-388
• Main Authors: Wulff, A.C., Mishin, O.V., Andersen, N.H., Zhao, Y., Grivel, J.-C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: alloys; annealing; copper; Electron microscopy; Grain boundaries; hardness; magnetic properties; Metal and alloys; microstructure; Superconductors; temperature; Texture
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2012.11.007

The microstructure, texture, hardness and magnetization have been investigated in a series of strongly cube-textured (Ni95W5)100–xCux samples with x=0, 5, 10 and 15at% Cu. It is found that the addition of 5at% Cu to the Ni–5at% W alloy results in a substantial decrease of the Curie temperature and in a reduction of the saturation magnetization without significant modification of the microstructure and the texture. This additionally alloyed material is only slightly softer than the Ni–5at% W substrate. Although the Curie temperature and saturation magnetization decrease in the samples with higher concentrations of copper, increasing the Cu-content to 10at% and 15at% leads to increased frequencies of annealing twins in the cube-textured matrix. It is suggested that the (Ni95W5)100–xCux alloy with x=5at% Cu may be a good candidate material for using as a substrate for coated conductors. [Display omitted] ► New Ni–Cu–W substrates for potential use in coated conductors have been examined. ► A Ni90.25W4.75Cu5 substrate has a microstructure and texture similar to those in Ni95W5. ► Compared to Ni95W5, the Ni90.25W4.75Cu5 substrate has superior magnetic properties. ► The hardness of the Ni90.25W4.75Cu5 is only slightly lower than the hardness of Ni95W5.