Structural investigation of vacuum sintered Cu-Cr and Cu-Cr-4% SiC nanocomposites prepared by mechanical alloying

► Solid solubility of Cr in Cu extended up to 1 at.% in presence of SiC nanoparticles. ► Change in lattice parameter is the only evidence for solid solubility extension. ► Nanosize SiC particles refined the crystallite size of Cu matrix up to 16-17 nm. ► Vacuum sintered specimens showed high hardness (1.8 GPa) and good conductivity (48% of IACS). ► SiC particles not only hinder grain growth but also control its distribution.