An alloy article having improved oxidation resistance and biaxially textured surfaces formed by thermo-mechanical techniques has up to 60 atomic % nickel, 0.1 to 25 atomic % of an oxide former selected from Mg, Al, Ti, Cr, Ga, Ge, Zr, Hf, Y, Si, Pr, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Lu, Th, Er, Tm, Be, Ce, Nd, Sm, Yb, La, and mixtures thereof, with the balance copper. The surface smoothness of the article may be improved by thermomechanical techniques without impairing its surface texture. The CTE of the article may be reduced and its mechanical strength increased by incorportation of additional materials into the article without impairing its surface texture. The alloy article is useful as a conductive substrate for superconducting composites where the substrate is coated with a superconducting oxide. Methods of producing the alloy article by melting and sheath and core thechniques are also disclosed.