The structure, hardness, strength and plasticity of a microlayer Cu–Cr composite for interrupter contacts in vacuum circuit breakers, which is obtained by electron beam physical vapour deposition, were studied over a temperature range of 290–1070 K. Correlation between the hardness and strength of the composite was established.

A technology for obtaining microlayered composite materials of Cu-Zr-Y-Mo, Cu-Zr-Y-Cr, Cu-Zr-Y-W and Cu-Zr-Y-C systems by means of high-speed electron-beam evaporation-condensation, structure, electrical, and mechanical properties at ambient and elevated temperatures is developed.