The Effect of Hybrid B4C and Si3N4 Nanoparticles on the Mechanical and Physical Properties of Copper Nanocomposites

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of reinforcing pure copper with hybrid B4C and Si3N4 nanoparticles on the mechanical and physical properties of the nanocomposite matrix. The composite matrix was prepared using the powder metallurgy (PM) method, allowing uniform nanoparticle dispersion within the copper matrix. The PM method was a practical approach for achieving a homogeneous and good dispersion of the reinforcing particles in the matrix while controlling the porosity and improving the microstructure of the fabricated composite matrix. The addition of B4C and Si3N4 are both very hard and dense materials. When added to a material, they can fill voids and reduce porosity. This can lead to significant improvements in the material’s mechanical properties. The study found that adding hybrid B4C and Si3N4 nanoparticles enhanced the microhardness and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. The improvements in the mechanical and physical properties of such composites containing 5% B4C were 21.6% and 18.4% higher than the copper base alloy. The findings suggest that including ceramic particles is a viable strategy for enhancing the mechanical characteristics of copper in its pure form. For example, adding 5% B4C particles to copper resulted in a 23% increase in Young’s modulus of the material while reducing electrical conductivity by 4.6%. On the other hand, the hybrid composite Cu/5%B4C + 2.5%Si3N4 showed a 32% improvement in Young’s modulus and 71% in the microhardness value compared to the base metal. This makes it a promising option for various engineering applications, such as high-performance electrical contacts and bearings.

Role of process parameters in defining the characteristics of copper surface composites fabricated via friction stir processing

“…Friction stir processing involves two stages in this research (i) closing of the groove with the aid of a pin less tool so as to avoid the spilling of reinforcement from the grove and (ii) friction stir processing with the aid of a double tempered H13 steel FSP tool with 20 mm shoulder diameter, 6 mm pin diameter and 5 mm pin length. Studies have proved that the passing of pin less tool above the groove would help in closing the groove thereby compacting particles inside the groove itself [32][33][34][35][36]. Initial stage of compacting of powders through closing the groove was carried out at a rotational speed of 950 rpm for feed rate of 60 mm min −1 with the aid of a milling machine with displacement controlling facility.…”

Fabrication and Characterization of Functionally Graded Nanocomposites: Impact of Graphene and Vanadium Carbide on Aluminum Matrix

“…Microhardness.-In accordance with our previous study, 32 the microhardness of the sintered samples was evaluated using a Vickers tester, following the ASTM B933-09 standard, with an applied stress of 1.9 N for a duration of 10 s.…”