An Evaluation of Cu-B₄C Composites Manufactured by Powder Metallurgy

Abstract

In this study, the inuences of B4C ratios on some mechanical and physical properties such as relative density, microhardness and electrical properties of cold pressed Cu-B4C composites were investigated. Curve tting is applied for the estimation of electrical conductivity. Commercial copper powders with 40 µm particle size were reinforced with B4C, with particle size of 40 µm, at ratios of 1, 2, 3 wt.%, for improving mechanical properties of copper used as electrical conductor. Cu-B4C composites have been fabricated by powder sintering process at a temperature of 900• C for 2 h. The presence of Cu and B4C, which are dominant components in the sintered composites, were conrmed by X-ray diraction analysis technique and SEM-EDS. Scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS) has shown that B4C particles are distributed homogenously in the copper matrix. The relative densities of Cu and Cu-B4C composites, sintered at 900• C, ranged from 95.7 to 91.6%. Microhardness of composites ranged from 84.5 to 94.6 HB. It was observed that cold pressed Cu-1 wt.% B4C composites revealed promising physical properties. Results of electrical conductivity measurement of Cu-B4C composite material are compared to the results of the model and the overall accuracy level above 96% is obtained.

Development of the composite material and coatings based on niobium carbide

“…A promising material to be used in the form of a component in the composites with a copper matrix is, in particular, niobium monocarbide. Its density (7.8 g/cm 3 ) is almost twice lower than the density of tungsten carbide (15.8 g/cm 3 ) while the cost is only 30 % higher. Therefore, it is a relevant task in materials science to develop composites with a copper matrix based on niobium carbide.…”

“…At present, scientists are searching for new ceramic phases that are compatible with copper, as well as for the new production techniques. Among them, boron carbide has been investigated [3], in the amount of up to 3 % by weight, when obtaining the composites using the method of solid-phase sintering of the pre-formed billets; higher chromium carbide (Cr 3 C 2 ) [4], in the system of titanium diboride (TiB 2 )copper, under conditions of its reaction thermal synthesis [5]. Paper [6] suggests obtaining the composites that were strengthened with tungsten carbides by applying the method of centrifugal reinforcement, or surfacing [7].…”

“…Paper [6] suggests obtaining the composites that were strengthened with tungsten carbides by applying the method of centrifugal reinforcement, or surfacing [7]. An analysis of results reported in papers [3][4][5][6][7] reveals that a general drawback of composites is their high (~10 %) residual porosity. This is predetermined by that such super-hard compounds as B 4 C, TiB 2 , TiC and others, which have been explored lately, are poorly wetted by molten copper at temperatures close to the melting temperature of copper [8].…”

Investigation and characterization of Copper-Fly ash-Tungsten hybrid composites synthesized through P/M process

“…The addition of single reinforcement especially Cu-W composite materials finds application in welding electrodes, high voltage electric contacts, and microelectronic materials [3][4][5][6]. Similar kinds of other popular reinforcing materials such as B 4 C, Ti & TiO 2 , WC, TiC, [7][8][9][10][11] etc, promised to increase the thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, hardness, and wear resistance.…”

Production and Characterization of Niobium Toughened Ti-TiAl3 Metallic-Intermetallic Composite

“…Phases were determined from XRD following the manufacturing process. Composites were analyzed by XRD technique using Cu K α radiation with * corresponding author; e-mail: tcerezci@sakarya.edu.tr a wavelength of 1.5418 Å [12], in order to determine the phases formed in the body of the composite. Surfaces of materials were analyzed by SEM.…”