Abstract
In order to produce the composite powder analyzed in this paper, two prealloys were melted and afterwards gas atomized. The obtained TiB2-reinforced copper powder was consolidated by hot isostatic pressing (HIP). Since it is known that a decrease in the size of the reinforcing phase can cause an increase in hardness of composites, the main aim of the experimental work was to obtain as small particles of the dispersed phase as possible by using standard powder metallurgy techniques. Microstructure and microhardness of the ascast prealloys, as-atomized powder and HIP-ed compacts were examined. The results of these examinations revealed that TiB2 particles about 10 nm in size were in-situ formed and homogenously dispersed in the copper matrix. As a consequence of the TiB2 formation, the microhardness of Cu-TiB2 composite was significantly improved.
Highlights
High mechanical strength and excellent electrical conductivity of copper matrix composites, among with other properties, ensure a wide application range for these materials
Homogenous distribution of TiB2 particles in the microstructure could not be observed using light optical microscopy (LOM) (Fig. 3), it was reflected in the microhardness values
The following conclusions can be drawn from the present study: 1. Homogenous distribution of the alloying elements in the Cu-Ti-B prealloy during atomization is highly dependent on the correct choice of titanium and boron amounts, as well as on appropriate melting parameters
Summary
High mechanical strength and excellent electrical conductivity of copper matrix composites, among with other properties, ensure a wide application range for these materials. Fine ceramic particles, based on metal oxides, nitrides, borides and silicates are most commonly used as composite reinforcements These ceramic particles can be added to the copper matrix in several different ways such as mechanical alloying [1], internal oxidation [2], combined mechanical alloying and internal oxidation processing [3], and in-situ processing [4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11]. The most common techniques are a combination of powder grinding in high energy mills and reaction synthesis, spray forming or a chemical reaction in a liquid metal. One version of the latter technique is the atomization of a molten metal or an alloy by an inert gas. In the present work, obtaining of an in-situ Cu-TiB2 composite by powder metallurgy processing using the rapid solidification method (gas atomization) and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) as the consolidation technique, was discussed
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