Synthesis and Characterizations of Copper-Based Composite Using Powder Metallurgy Under Variable Compaction Loads
摘要
Since copper is one of the most used metals. But, due to its poor mechanical and tribological performance, its application is quite restricted, which opens the possibility to improve these requisite properties. So, in the current research work, a copper based metal matrix hybrid composite is developed by the powder metallurgy (P/M) technique under different compaction loads of 50, 55, 60, and 65 kN to reveal its effect on the different properties of the developed material. The hard tungsten carbide (WC) and zirconia (ZrO2) ceramics are used as reinforcements in copper matrix; however, chromium (Cr) is used to improve the wettability. Four different copper-based composites are developed by P/M as per the variable compaction loads and designated as composite-50, composite-55, composite-60, and composite-65. The X-rays diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX) are used to characterize the developed copper composites. XRD, SEM, and EDAX analysis have revealed the presence of distributed reinforcing ceramic particles in the copper matrix with their better inter-grain interaction and their fair distribution as well. The Vicker’s hardness, experimental density, and electrical conductivity of the developed copper hybrid composites are investigated and analyzed. These investigated properties of copper hybrid composites rise with the rise in the compaction load due to decrease in porosity.