Effect of Hot Rolling on Naval Brass/WC Nanocomposite

Abstract

Abstract Metal matrix nanocomposite emerges as an important class of novel materials that can offer tunable mechanical, electrical, and thermophysical properties. With various types and volumes of nanoparticles in the metals, more design variables need to be considered for successful processing of these materials. In this paper, the hot rolling effect on Cu-40wt.% Zn alloy (naval brass) and its nanocomposite (with 10 vol.% WC) was studied at a suitable rolling temperature after a careful consideration of the complex phase composition and phase transition in the Cu-40 wt.% Zn. The rolling thickness reduction of 35% was applied. After the hot rolling, WC nanoparticles were distributed and dispersed more uniformly in the metal matrix. The microhardness of pure Cu-40 wt.% Zn after hot rolling was 179.42 HV while that of Cu-40 wt.% Zn with 10 vol.% of WC was enhanced to 230.10 HV. Electrical conductivity of the hot rolled samples were measured and the conductivity of the hot rolled nanocomposites was much higher than 1 MS/m, which is suitable for various applications that demand supreme mechanical properties and reasonable conductivities.