Effects of Processing Parameters, Particle Characteristics, and Metallic Coatings on Properties of Al₂O₃Copper Alloy Matrix Composites

Abstract

The powder metallurgy technique was adopted to prepare Al2O3 copper alloy matrix composites. The mechanical properties of the composites were measured to investigate the influence of processing parameters, Al2O3 particle characteristics, and metallic coating (copper or nickel) of the Al2O3 particles. It was found that the mechanical properties of the composites prepared by pressing, sintering, re-pressing, and resintering were superior to those of composites prepared by the pressing and sintering route, and that sintering temperature was an important factor in controlling composite properties. Changes in hardness, theoretical density, ultimate tensile strength, and wear resistance of composites containing Al2O3 of varying particle size and alumina content were observed. In all cases, composites made from nickel coated or copper coated Al2O3 exhibited better properties than those from uncoated particles. PM/0759