Deformation and fracture mechanisms of selective laser melted tungsten skeleton reinforced copper matrix composites at varied temperatures

Abstract

Tungsten skeleton reinforced copper matrix composites (TRC) were designed and fabricated using a selective laser melting (SLM) method followed by infiltration sintering. Deformation and fracture mechanisms were investigated at 25, 300 and 500 °C. Compressive and tensile tests of the tungsten skeletons showed brittle fracture mode, whereas tensile tests of the TRC exhibited a mixed mode of ductile and brittle fracture. Fracture mechanisms of the TRC were identified as cleavage of tungsten and separation between copper and tungsten at 25 °C. Whereas at 300 and 500 °C, its fracture mechanisms were identified as intergranular fracture of tungsten particles, tearing of copper and separation between copper and tungsten.