Fabrication of Copper - Boron Carbide Metal Matrix Composite By Powder Metallurgy

Abstract

Boron carbide reinforced copper metal matrix composites have been the subject of broad research because of their good mechanical, electrical and tribological properties. In the present research, Cu-B4C composites containing 5, 10 and 15 wt. % of B4C have been fabricated by cold powder compaction followed by conventional sintering at 900 C for 1 hour under argon atmosphere. The fabricated composites are characterized by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). From microscopic study we have found that B4C particles are homogeneously distributed in the copper matrix and there is good compatibility between B4C and Cu. The microstructure analyzed by FESEM shows that the interface between Cu matrix and B4C is clean and no interfacial product is formed. The effect of B4C particles and its weight fraction on microstructure, mechanical properties and electrical conductivity is also studied. The Vickers hardness value increases with increasing weight percentage of boron-carbide in Cu matrix. The hardness value increases from 38 VHN for pure copper to 79 VHN for Cu-15 wt. % B4C metal matrix composite (MMC). A maximum relative density of 82 % is achieved for Cu- 5 wt. % B4C MMC. The maximum compressive strength of 315 MPa is achieved for Cu-15 wt. % B4C MMC. The electrical conductivity of pure Cu is found to be 4.5×106 S/m and it decreases to 1.92×106, 0.75×106 and 0.32×106 S/m for Cu-5 wt. % B4C, Cu-10 wt. % B4C and Cu-15wt. % B4C MMCs respectively.