The Properties of Copper-Base Composite Alloys Under the Influence of Various Kinds of Dispersed Phases

Abstract

Copper powders with or without nickel powders were mechanicaly mixed with various kinds of oxides, carbides or tungsten powders, followed by compacting, sintering and hot working processes. The oxides and tungsten particles agglomerated during the sintering process, while the carbides particles did not, This agglomeration was thought to be due to the growth of metal particles and the interfacial energy between the dispersed particles and the metal matrix.The measurement of the room temperature strength of the hot rolled composite alloys showed that the strength of the alloys with the dispersed phases adhering strongly to the matrix increased considerably with an increase in the amount of the dispersed phases and exceeded that of the alloys with the dispersed phases adhering weakly to the matrix. The strength of the alloys with the dispersed phases adhering weakly to the matrix increased slightly with the amount of the dispersed phases. The titanium carbide adheres weakly to the copper and strongly to the Cu-Ni alloy. Therefore, the titanium carbide was recongnized as an effective additional for the strength of the Cu-Ni alloy but not so for pure copper.High temperature strength tests were carried out up to 600°C. The strength of the composite alloy at a high temperature also increased by the dispersed phase adhering strongly to the matrix, but even the strength of the alloy with the most effective additional decreased with the rise of the temperature.