Annealing effects on the microstructure and texture of a multifilamentary Cu-Nb composite wire

We report the microstructural evolution of a Cu-15%Nb composite annealed from 100 to 1050degreesC. The microstructure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Boundary splitting is the predominant mechanism to explain the spheroidization of niobium. A simple model describing this phenomenon is proposed. (C) 2004 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.