High strength and high conductivity Cu-Ta composites fabricated by powder metallurgy

Abstract

Copper matrix composites with excellent comprehensive properties can be obtained by combining copper and copper alloys with refractory metals. Cu-Ta and CuCrNb-Ta composites were fabricated by powder metallurgy. The hardness and conductivity of cold-rolled CuCrNb-1Ta, CuCrNb-3Ta, and CuCrNb-6Ta composites were 102.2 HV and 90.6% IACS, 120.4 HV and 88.0% IACS, 118.6 HV and 87.5% IACS, respectively. Cr2Ta was detected on the surface of Ta particles in the sintered CuCrNb-Ta composites, and a Ta@Cr2Ta core-shell structure formed. The mechanical properties and conductivity of the CuCrNb-Ta composites in sintered state + cold rolling treatment + aging treatment are higher than those of Cu-Ta alloys under the coordinated action of solution strengthening and precipitation strengthening. These findings are conducive to the development of high-strength copper-based composites.