Effects of composite oxide addition on the microstructure and properties of ODS copper

Abstract

Oxide dispersion strengthened copper-based material is widely used in electrical contact materials due to its excellent mechanical and electrical properties. However, researchers have found that large Y2O3 particles have poor interfacial bonding with the copper matrix in the study of oxide dispersion strengthened copper. In this work, Y4Zr3O12 nanoparticles were successfully prepared through solid–liquid doping and directly added into oxide dispersion-strengthened copper by mechanical alloying. A scanning electron microscope, a transmission electron microscope, an X-ray diffractometer, and electrical and mechanical tests were used to characterize the microstructure and performance of composite materials. The interfaces between the Y2O3/Y4Zr3O12 nanoparticles and Cu were systematically studied. The interface bonding between Y4Zr3O12 and Cu was better than that of Y2O3 and Cu. The effect of different Y4Zr3O12 contents (1, 3, and 5 wt%) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites was studied. Results showed that the Cu-3 wt% Y4Zr3O12 composites exhibited the best comprehensive properties. The Vickers hardness, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, maximum engineering strain, and electrical conductivity of the Cu-3 wt% Y4Zr3O12 composites were 132HV, 203.5 MPa, 284.7 MPa, 15.8 %, and 90.3 % International Annealed Copper Standard, respectively.