On the mechanical and electrical properties of copper-silver and copper-silver-zirconium alloys deposits manufactured by cold spray

In this work, several copper alloy deposits were manufactured by cold spray with helium as accelerating and carrier gas. Electrical conductivity was measured to establish the potential of cold spray as a manufacturing process for high strength (>500 MPa) and high conductivity (>90% IACS) copper alloys. The deposits which are characterized by a low oxygen content (<200 ppm) and a low porosity level (<0.1%) present yield strength values up to about 700 MPa and electrical conductivity values up to 58.2  MS/m (100.3% IACS). Results show that, even if a compromise has to be made between the properties according to the objectives of the application, this additive manufacturing route appears suitable for the production of large copper alloys parts with high mechanical properties and high electrical and thermal conductivity. The role of alloy composition and post heat treatments on the strength and conductivity of the deposits was especially considered in this work. Cold spray deposits properties were finally compared with those obtained with other manufacturing routes.