Sintering Behavior and Mechanical Property of Cu-Sn Alloy with Ag Addition Produced by Pulsed Electric Current Sintering

Abstract

This work mainly focuses on the sintering behavior of the Cu-Sn alloy with the addition of Ag up to 4 wt% after pulsed electric current sintering (PECS) process for ultra-fast sintering. The microstructural evolution was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and density measurements. The mechanical properties were evaluated via measurements of transverse rupture strength (TRS) and Rockwell hardness. The mechanism during the sintering process has been discussed thoroughly, and the effect on porosity with the addition of the Ag is also correlated. The results showed that the growth of porosity progressed with the amount of Ag up to 2 wt%, and further addition of Ag leads reduction in porosity. The effect on mechanical properties were improved slowly as the amount of Ag increased.

Keywords

• powder metallurgy
• cu-sn alloy
• pulsed electric current sintering
• grinding tool