Effect of vanadium on enhancing the mechanical and wear behaviour of copper by using stir casting technique

Abstract

A primary element of copper is dispersed with a secondary element (vanadium) by stir casting technique. This alloy is melted in a furnace and the percentage of Vanadium is added in Cu as 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% & 2% respectively. The metal matrix composite is characterised by x-ray diffraction, Optical micrograph, Energy Dispersive x-ray, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Fractography. It is found that by the addition of vanadium the grain size is getting reduced and the strength of the metal matrix increases. There is also a improvement in the hardness with the increase in vanadium content. Pin on-disc setup is used for wear study and it is found that there is an increase in wear resistance for the increase in vanadium content. The results observed from experiments that vanadium will act as a reliable reinforcement material for the enhancement of properties in copper matrix composites.