Some Properties of Cu-B4C Composites Manufactured by Powder Metallurgy

Abstract

In this study, some properties of cold pressed Cu-B4C composites were investigated. Commercial copper powders with 40 µm particle size were reinforced with B4C in a 40µm particle size at ratios of 0, 1, 2, 3 wt.% for improving mechanical properties of copper used for electrical conductivity. Cu-B4C composites have been fabricated by powder sintering process. The presence of Cu and B4C which are dominant components in the sintered composites were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses technique and SEM-EDS. Scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS) was showed that B4C particles are distributed homogenously in the copper matrix. The relative densities of Cu and Cu-B4C composites sintered at 700°C are ranged from 97.5% to 90.19%. Microhardness of composites ranged from 80.65 to 87.5 HB and the electrical conductivity of composites changed between 90.04 %IACS and 68.87 %IACS. It was observed that cold pressed Cu - 1 wt.% B4C composites revealed promising physical properties