Influence of Nano-Hybrid Reinforcements on the Improvement Strength, Thermal Expansion and Wear Properties of Cu–SiC–Fly Ash Nanocomposites Prepared by Powder Metallurgy

Abstract

In this study, Cu-matrix hybrid nanocomposites with varying amounts of silicon carbide (SiC) and fly ash nano particles were created using the powder metallurgy process. To describe the microstructure of produced powders, X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used. The powders were compressed and fired for one hour in inert gas at three different temperatures up to 850 °C. Moreover, the sintered samples’ microstructure, mechanical, wear, thermal, and electrical characteristics were examined. According to the results, particle sizes were successfully decreased up to 51.2 nm by adding SiC and fly ash ceramics. The values of density, coefficient thermal expansion (CTE) and electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite sample containing 16 vol% of ceramics decreased until reached 92.3%, 9.5 × 10−6/°C and 7.44 × 106 S m−1, respectively. Additionally, as compared to Cu matrix (CSF0), the nanocomposite with the highest ceramics volume percentage (CSF8) significantly improved in terms of ultimate strength, microhardness, Young’s modulus, and wear rate by 47.8, 88, 23.5and 27.3%, respectively.