Effect of sintering process on the microstructure and properties of TiH2/Ti doped Cu-Y2O3 composite

Abstract

In order to study the effects of different sintering temperatures and heat treatment on the microstructure and properties of copper alloys, TiH2/Ti-doped Cu-Y2O3 composite powders were prepared by high-energy ball milling in this paper. After pressing-sintering-heat treatment, copper matrix composites were obtained. The microstructure of the composite was characterized by optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Vickers hardness tester was used to test its hardness and eddy current conductivity tester. The results show that after high-energy ball milling and mixed powder, elements Y, Ti and O are evenly distributed on the surface of the composite powder. The sintering temperature and heat treatment has an important influence on the microstructure and properties of TiH2/Ti-doped Y2O3 reinforced copper-based composites. The TiH2/Ti-doped Y2O3 reinforced copper matrix composites achieved the excellent properties after sintering at 850 ℃ for 2 h and aging at 450 ℃ for 3 h. The electrical conductivity and hardness of TiH2-doped Y2O3 reinforced copper-based composites are 86.9% IACS and 70.1 HV respectively, and the electrical conductivity and hardness of Ti-doped Y2O3 reinforced copper-based composites are 76.8% IACS and 73.6 HV.

Keywords

• copper-based composite material
• sintering
• heat treatment
• microstructure