In this paper, the effect of an annealing treatment on the microstructure, mechanical
properties and electrical conductivity of a deformed Cu-12.8 wt%Fe composite prepared by
the “casting/cold working” process is investigated. The Fe filaments exhibit the shape
characteristic in the as-drawn composite as the annealing temperature is lower than 500
°C. When the annealing temperature is above 500 °C, the Fe filaments undergo the
instability process in terms of boundary splitting, coarsening and breakup gradually. The
tensile strength gradually decreases with increasing annealing temperature due to the
coarsening of filament spacing. The work hardening for the composite annealed above 600 °C
is slower than that annealed at a lower temperature. The electrical conductivity reaches a
maximum of 60%IACS at a temperature of 450 °C for one hour of annealing, and it further
increases with increasing annealing time at 450 °C to reach a plateau of 68% IACS. The
curve between the tensile strength and electrical conductivity under different annealing
processes indicates that the optimum annealing temperature for the Cu-Fe composite is 450
°C.