Characterization of Tantalum Carbide Reinforced Copper Composite Developed Using Mechanical Alloying

The effects of the consolidation pressure on the properties of novel Cu-15vol% TaC composite was investigated. The copper-based composite has been prepared using a high energy planetary mill via in-situ route. A mixture of copper, tantalum and graphite powder was mechanically alloyed for milling time of 8 hours at speed of 400 rpm. The as-milled powder was consolidated by cold pressing under various pressure (i.e. 100, 200, 300 and 400 MPa) at room temperature and sintered in argon atmosphere at 900 C for an hour. TaC phase was formed in copper matrix after sintering process. An increase in consolidation pressure resulted in an increase in hardness, electrical conductivity and density of the composites. The changes of bulk properties of the in-situ Cu-TaC composite were correlated to the formation of TaC phase and a reduction of porosity which led to an increasing in densification.