A Cu-10 vol% Cr in situ composite was produced by melt processing and deformed by swaging to form rods with a total deformation true strain of 3.15. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the composite microstructure consisted of Cr fibres aligned with their long axes parallel to the rod axis. X-ray diffraction indicated that the Cr fibres had a strong [110] fibre texture. The mechanical properties of the composite were measured by tensile testing over the temperature range - 70 to 600 degreesC. Examination of fibre fracture and fibre-matrix debonding at and near the tensile test fracture surfaces indicated that a transition from localised to global damage occurred between 300 and 400 degreesC. (C) 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers.