Compressive Strength, Wear, and Structure Characteristics as a Result of Silicon Carbide Addition on a Copper Base

Abstract

The current research aims to study of the effected of the reinforced materials on the extent of failure or resistance of the metals. The powder method was used to manufacture models of copper-based composites, then copper was reinforced by silicon carbide at percentages of (0,5,10,15,20)%, and alumina was used as a fixed support at (10% Al2O3), Moreover, the mixture was ground by a steel mill for 2, 4, and 6 hours and then pressed with a press capacity of 20 tons. The homogeneous mixture was placed inside a steel mold and pressed at 5 tons for a time of one minute. After sintering at 900°C for two hours, the samples were prepared. The diagonal compressive strength tests, the wear test and examination of an atomic force microscope in three different grinding periods were carried out. The results of the examination showed that the highest compressive strength was obtained (53.3 Mpa) at a six-hour grinding time with a percentage of 20%SiC, while the wear rate showed a decrease in its value as it was less weary at a six-hour grinding time, and at a percentage of 20%SiC also (1.10368 * 10 -7 g/cm). The images obtained from the atomic force microscope showed that the total surface topography and the morphology of the grains formed on the surface have a high degree of homogeneity and arrangement after the heat treatment. We observed the regularity in the growth of the superimposed layer and noted that the grains were arranged perpendicular to the axis. As the crystalline heights are approximately equal, the best characteristic parameters of the results were found at sintering of 900°C, grinding time of six hours, and cementing content of 20%.