The effect of multi-directional compression on mechanical properties and corrosion properties of Cu–Fe composite

Abstract

Cu–Fe composite is a promising candidate for electromagnetic shielding material, while it exhibits poor corrosion resistance due to the different corrosion potential of Fe particles and Cu matrix. In this study, a Cu–Fe composite was processed by multi-directional compression. The effect of multi-directional compression on the mechanical properties of the Cu–Fe composite was evaluated by the tensile test, and the effect of multi-directional compression on the corrosion properties was evaluated by the weight loss test and electrochemical measurement. After 12 compression passes, the yield strength of the Cu–Fe composite is more than two times higher than that of the initial state, and the corrosion rate decreases to nearly half compared to the initial state. Microstructure examination reveals that high density of twin boundaries were generated by multi-directional compression, which could effectively refine the grain size of Cu matrix and improve the strength of Cu–Fe composite. In addition, twin boundaries would reduce the Volta potential difference between Cu matrix and Fe particles, which could effectively inhibit galvanic corrosion, finally leading to a high corrosion resistance of the Cu–Fe composite.