Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) of Multi-Principal Element Alloys of Copper-Niobium-Titanium-Di-Boride-Graphite, Investigation of Microstructures, and Properties

A near-equiatomic multi-principal element alloy of Cu40Nb30(TiB2)(20)C-10 with both nano-particle size (14 nm) and micron-particle sizes (-44 mu m) of Nb was designed and made via the spark plasma sintering technique at two different sintered temperatures of 650 degrees C and 700 degrees C with other SPS parameters being constant. The sintering mode, microstructures, microhardness, density, relative density, wear behavior, and corrosion properties of the alloys were investigated and compared to ascertain the best for aerospace applications. The SPS technique was applied to produce the tested samples in this study. The results showed that the alloys with nano-particles of Nb sintered faster, with the lowest wear rate, and their microstructure shows a dendritic configuration with the existence of graphite-rich and niobium-rich nano-segregations in the inter-dendritic areas with the lowest coefficient of friction, Cu-NbTiB2C with nano-particles of Nb sintered at 650 degrees C recorded the highest microhardness value (786.03 HV0.2), and CuNbTiB2C with micro-particles of Nb sintered at 700 degrees C exhibited the best anti-corrosion characteristics in a sulphuric acid environment. The results obtained in this study correspond to the requirements for high-performance engineering materials, which will make the novel materials relevant in the aerospace industry.

Automated summary

In this study, a near-equiatomic multi-principal element alloy with nano- and micron-sized Nb particles was synthesized using spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The alloys with nano-sized Nb particles showed faster sintering, lower wear rate, and dendritic microstructure with nano-segregations. Cu-NbTiB2C alloy sintered at 650°C exhibited the highest microhardness, while CuNbTiB2C alloy with micron-sized Nb particles sintered at 700°C showed the best corrosion resistance in a sulfuric acid environment. These novel materials have great potential for aerospace applications.