Synthesis and characterization of copper-alumina metal matrix composite by conventional and spark plasma sintering

The evolution of microstructure, density and hardness of Cu-Al2O3 metal matrix composites with different techniques of sintering have been demonstrated here. The effect of sintering atmosphere on the interfacial compatibility of matrix and reinforcement has also been discussed. Synthesis of microcomposites was carried out by reinforcing 5, 10 and 15 vol.% of alumina powder particles (average size similar to 5.71 mu m) in copper matrix via conventional sintering using N-2, H-2 and Ar atmospheres. Nanocomposites of 1, 5, 7 vol.% alumina (average size <50 nm) reinforced in copper matrix were fabricated by powder metallurgy route using spark plasma sintering technique. These micro- and nano-composites have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy followed by density and hardness measurements. Cu-Al2O3 metal matrix micro-and nanocomposites fabricated by conventional and spark plasma sintering routes were studied and compared. Maximum Vickers hardness of 60, 75 and 80 was obtained when the Cu-15 vol.% Al2O3 was conventionally sintered in N-2, Ar and H-2 atmosphere respectively. However, maximum hardness value of 125 has been achieved for the Cu-5 vol.% Al2O3 nanocomposite prepared by spark plasma sintering. It has been observed that Cu-Al2O3 metal matrix composite (MMC) shows poor mechanical properties when it is conventionally sintered in N-2 or Ar atmosphere compared to that in H-2 atmosphere. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.