Self-formed pencil-like bulk composite materials consisting of copper alloy and stainless steel

On the basis of the CALPHAD (Calculation of Phase Diagrams) method, the compositional range of stable miscibility gap and volume fractions of the two liquid phases in the Cu–Fe–Cr–Ni system were predicted, which can provide the guidance for design of self-formed composite materials. Based on such information, the self-formed pencil-like bulk composite materials consisting of copper alloy and two kinds of stainless steels were prepared by controlling the compositions of Cu-rich and Fe-rich phases in immiscible liquid system by the conventional casting process. The experimental results are in good agreement with the ones predicted by calculation. This study indicates that it is possible to develop the pencil-like bulk composite materials consisting of copper alloy and stainless steels by the conventional casting process.