Fabrication and investigation of mechanical properties of copper matrix nanocomposite reinforced by steel particle

Abstract

Copper matrix nanocomposite reinforced by steel particles was prepared by the casting method. The disc mill and ball mill instruments were used to produce the steel particles from machining chips. The effects of the reinforcement particles' content on the microstructure, mechanical properties, fracture mechanisms, and electrical conductivity of the produced nanocomposite material were investigated. An analytical model is developed to predict the mechanical strength of the nanocomposites. The strengthening mechanisms of the reinforcement particles on the matrix and the adverse effects of the agglomeration of the particles on the composite mechanical strength are studied using the developed model. Results of the mechanical show that adding 2.5 wt% steal particles increases the yield strength, the tensile strength, the Brinell Hardness, and the Sharpy impact energy of the pure copper about 48%, 21%, 23.5%, and 300%, respectively. Elongation and ductility almost continuously increase by increasing the content of the particles. The results demonstrate the capacity of steel particles as cost-effective reinforcement material to enhance the copper matrix strength and toughness simultaneously. Furthermore, the addition of steel particles shows little adverse effect on the electrical conductivity.