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Preparation of in-situ Cu/NbC nanocomposite and its functionally graded behavior for electrical contact applications

Gholami Shiri, S ; Sharif University of Technology | 2015

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  1. Type of Document: Article
  2. DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(15)63675-5
  3. Publisher: Nonferrous Metals Society of China , 2015
  4. Abstract:
  5. Abstract Cu-15%NbC (volume fraction) powder was synthesized using the starting powders of Cu, Nb and graphite in a high energy vibratory disc mill for 7 h of milling under argon atmosphere. A composite sample and a Cu/NbC functionally graded material (FGM) sample were produced by using the two-step press and sintering at 900 °C for 1 h under vacuum. The microstructure and physical and mechanical properties of the specimens were investigated. The field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the synthesis of the nanostructure matrix of 18-27 nm with the nanoparticles reinforcement of 42 nm after sintering, verifying the thermal stability of this composite at high temperature. The hardness of Cu-15%NbC was five times greater than that of the pure Cu specimen. The volume reduction of the sample after the wear test decreased in comparison with the pure Cu specimen. The electrical conductivity of the composite specimen decreased to 36.68% IACS. The FGM specimen exhibited high electrical conductivity corresponding to 75.83% IACS with the same hardness and wear properties as those of the composite sample on the composite surface. Thus, Cu/NbC FGM with good mechanical and electrical properties can be a good candidate for electrical contact applications
  6. Keywords:
  7. Cu/NbC nanocomposite ; Electrical contact ; Wear behavior ; Beams and girders ; Copper ; Electric conductivity ; Field emission microscopes ; Functionally graded materials ; Hardness ; Mechanical alloying ; Mechanical properties ; Nanocomposites ; Scanning electron microscopy ; Sintering ; Synthesis (chemical) ; Thermodynamic stability ; X ray diffraction analysis ; Electrical contacts ; Field emission scanning electron microscopy ; Functionally graded material (FGM) ; High electrical conductivity ; In-situ composite ; Mechanical and electrical properties ; Physical and mechanical properties ; Wear behaviors ; Electric contacts
  8. Source: Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (English Edition) ; Volume 25, Issue 3 , 2015 , Pages 863-872 ; 10036326 (ISSN)
  9. URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1003632615636755