Investigation on microstructure and selected properties of aluminum oxide–copper–nickel ceramic–metal composites

Abstract

A new ternary system of ceramic–metal composites has been fabricated from alumina, copper, and nickel powders by the slip casting method. The research aimed to avoid copper leaking during the sintering process of the formation while processing the CuNi phase. Five different compositions were examined, differing in the ratio of nickel to copper. Stable slurries with good casting properties were prepared for all compositions. The final composites after the sintering process were characterized by a homogeneous distribution of the metallic phase, but they differed in the microstructure characteristics. The addition of nickel limits the outflow of the liquid phase (copper) during sintering but does not eliminate it. This resulted in a reduction in the hardness of the samples compared to the reference material.