Alliages Conducteurs à Haute Résistance Mécanique (New High Strength-High Conductivity Alloys) – ACReM

Copper-based high strength conductive alloys are used in a myriad of applications in automotive, aeronautic and electronic industries such as conductive springs, interconnections, etc. The demand of these materials is booming, partly driven by the increase use of copper in existing applications but also by energy and environmental considerations where their uses in emerging applications such as electrical propulsion and renewable energy are essential. The strongest conductive alloy is based on the Cu-Be system which has the disadvantage of toxicity and cost. There is a great demand for the replacement of Cu-Be alloys by new toxic free and environmentally friendly high strength-high conductivity materials. The Cu-Ti system is considered as the best alternative but the properties (strength and electrical conductivity) of currently Cu-Ti alloys are not sufficient, and new and improved alloy compositions must be developed. This proposal outlines an innovative approach for the development of new alloys. This is to be accomplished through an understanding, manipulation and coupling of the physical processes governing the emergence of the microstructure, the plasticity and the transport properties of these alloys, and the use of trace additions of alloying elements. This is an approach that couples modelling, experiment and TEM study, and a methodology in which the authors have much experience and for which they have received national and international awards (Dr Gorsse: 2005 Marcus A. Grossmann Young Authors Award, ASM International – Dr Majimel: 2003 Toulouse Academy of Sciences Price).