Development of gradient structured copper wire deformation and heat treatment technology for cable industry
Abstract
This study addresses the challenge of optimizing the trade-off between strength, ductility, and electrical conductivity in high-strength microcomposite Cu-14Fe alloy wires. A novel thermo-mechanical processing approach is proposed, combining successive cycles of twisting in an equal-channel step die with subsequent drawing along two temperature routes: cold (Route A, room temperature) and warm (Route B, 250 °C), followed by low-temperature annealing (300–500 °C). Results demonstrate that cold processing induces a sharp gradient microstructure (from submicron grains ~ 400 nm at the surface to 7 μm in the center), yielding maximum hardening. Conversely, warm deformation activates dynamic recovery, forming a uniform polygonized structure that preserves ductility. It was found that deformation processing along Route A ensures maximum workpiece hardening (ultimate strength σ в = 675 MPa), while warm deformation along Route B allows for the retention of an increased ductility resource δ = 19.0%, ψ = 25.0%. An anomalous change in mechanical properties was revealed during subsequent thermal treatment: annealing at 400 °C initiates a simultaneous increase in strength and ductility for both routes, achieving peak σ в values of 700 MPa (Route A) and 610 MPa (Route B). A key finding is an anomalous simultaneous increase in both strength and ductility during post-deformation annealing at 400 °C for both routes, driven by precipitation hardening from the decomposition of the supersaturated solid solution. Ultimately, preliminary warm deformation (Route B) proves technologically superior, establishing a thermally stable subgrain structure with enhanced resistance to softening and restrained recrystallization kinetics across the investigated temperature range.
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BibTeX
@article{volokitina2026development,
title = {{Development of gradient structured copper wire deformation and heat treatment technology for cable industry}},
author = {Irina Volokitina and Andrey Volokitin and Anastassiya Denissova and Zoya Gelmanova and Gulnara Ulyeva},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-75188-7},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-75188-7},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Development of gradient structured copper wire deformation and heat treatment technology for cable industry
AU - Irina Volokitina
AU - Andrey Volokitin
AU - Anastassiya Denissova
AU - Zoya Gelmanova
AU - Gulnara Ulyeva
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/08
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-75188-7
UR - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-75188-7
AB - This study addresses the challenge of optimizing the trade-off between strength, ductility, and electrical conductivity in high-strength microcomposite Cu-14Fe alloy wires. A novel thermo-mechanical processing approach is proposed, combining successive cycles of twisting in an equal-channel step die with subsequent drawing along two temperature routes: cold (Route A, room temperature) and warm (Route B, 250 °C), followed by low-temperature annealing (300–500 °C). Results demonstrate that cold processing induces a sharp gradient microstructure (from submicron grains ~ 400 nm at the surface to 7 μm in the center), yielding maximum hardening. Conversely, warm deformation activates dynamic recovery, forming a uniform polygonized structure that preserves ductility. It was found that deformation processing along Route A ensures maximum workpiece hardening (ultimate strength σ в = 675 MPa), while warm deformation along Route B allows for the retention of an increased ductility resource δ = 19.0%, ψ = 25.0%. An anomalous change in mechanical properties was revealed during subsequent thermal treatment: annealing at 400 °C initiates a simultaneous increase in strength and ductility for both routes, achieving peak σ в values of 700 MPa (Route A) and 610 MPa (Route B). A key finding is an anomalous simultaneous increase in both strength and ductility during post-deformation annealing at 400 °C for both routes, driven by precipitation hardening from the decomposition of the supersaturated solid solution. Ultimately, preliminary warm deformation (Route B) proves technologically superior, establishing a thermally stable subgrain structure with enhanced resistance to softening and restrained recrystallization kinetics across the investigated temperature range.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -