Effect of Sintering Temperature on the Properties of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Copper-Zinc Alloy Composite

Abstract

Powder metallurgy technique were proved successful net-shape technology which suitable for the production of steel parts characterised by good physical and mechanical properties of MMCs. The aim of this work is to study the effect of the sintering temperature with different volume ratio of natural carbon fibers reinforced copper-zinc alloy via powder metallurgy route. In this study, water hyacinth was used as a natural carbon fiber to replace tin element. The samples were mixed in different volume fraction of natural carbon fiber which is 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% in constant composition of copper alloy (70Cu/30Zn). The mixture was consolidated into rigid die compaction at 300MPa, then sintered at 400, 550 and 750°C respectively in the furnace under Argon atmospheric pressure at a flow rate of 50ml/min for 2h and cooled down naturally under Argon gas protection. Vickers hardness test were investigated. The composite were then characterized using optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The copper alloy composite reinforced with 10% carbon fiber at 550°C shows highest hardness strength which is about 112.0 HV.