Fabrication of Cu-SiC Composites using Powder Metallurgy Technique

Abstract

Copper based metal matrix composites are gaining interest for multiple applications because of their good electrical, thermal and mechanical properties. In the present study, composite of Cu-SiC with different compositions are fabricated by using powder metallurgy technique. Three different volumetric fractional combination of composites are made namely Cu90%-SiC10%, Cu85%-SiC15% and Cu80%-SiC20% along with Cu100% sample. V-shape blender is used for blending the powder. Hydraulic press is used to compact the powder at a pressure of 250Mpa to achieve the solid structure. To obtain better results, sintering is performed at a temperature of 950°C and a holding time of 60 min. An attempt has been made to study the characteristics of fabricated copper based metal matrix composites. The study revealed that the addition of SiC as a reinforcement in Cu; improves the mechanical properties. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is used to analyse the surface morphology of the sintered samples. Microstructural study of the metal matrix composite shows the homogeneous distribution of SiC particles in the metal matrix.