Microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu‐B ₄ C and CuAl‐B ₄ C composites produced by hot pressing

Abstract

Abstract Cu matrix composite materials reinforced with B 4 C particle at four different contents (1.5 wt%, 3.0 wt%, 4.5 wt% and 6.0 wt%) and also CuAl matrix composites with 13 wt% Al reinforced with B 4 C particle at four different contents (1.5 wt%, 3.0 wt%, 4.5 wt% and 6.0 wt%) were fabricated by hot pressing (HP) and a powder metallurgy (PM) process. Experimental samples were produced by keeping them at 880 °C at the constant pressure of 2.3 × 10 8 Pa for 6 min. The density, microstructure and mechanical properties of the produced samples were examined. The microstructure and phase examinations were carried out by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscope (OM), energy‐dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and X‐ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis. The hardness measurements, three‐point bending test and impact test were conducted to determine the mechanical properties. As a result of the examinations, it was observed that the relative density values decreased with the increasing content of B 4 C and provided a relatively effective bonding. Moreover, it was homogeneously distributed in the produced specimens. Consequently, there was a considerable increase in the hardness and the bending strength of CuAl matrix specimens with Al addition.