Study On Fabrication And Sintering Properties Of Cu/C/Ti₃SiC₂ Composite

Copper metal possesses good plastic deformation and high electrical conductivity,high thermal conductivity properties, including good chemical stability and corrosionresistance.It has been applied widely nowadays.But,its some properties likestrength,wear resistance and creep resistance in high temperature are not very goodrelatively.The experiment tried to lead in reinforced phase to copper matrix andfabricated copper-based composite.Ti₃SiC₂ is a kind of novel structural-functional ceramics material, it combines themerits of both metals and ceramics. It has outstanding properties, such as low density,high melting point, nice electrical and thermal conductivity, high elastic modulus,high fracture toughness, oxidation resistance, thermal shock resistance andmachinability. And more significantly, it has very low friction coefficient and niceself-lubricating property.Graphite possesses high melting point, excellent electrical and thermalconductivity, including nice self-lubricating property(friction-coefficient＜0.1),plasticity and chemical stability.The experiment is considered to use two kinds ofreinforced materials, including Ti₃SiC₂ and graphite,to reinforce copper matrix andfabricated Cu/C/Ti₃SiC₂ composite.In the experiment,high pure Ti₃SiC₂ powders werefabricated by pressureless sintering from Ti/Si/C/AI elemental powders.In order toimprove wetting property between Cu and reinforced materials including Ti₃SiC₂ andgraphite.The surface of Ti₃SiC₂ and graphite powders are coated copper adoptingelectroless copper plating.The process and mechanics of electroless copper plating areresearched.The influencing factor of electroless copper plating is analyzed.Theoptimal electroless copper plating technology parameter has been achieved.In thesame time, the surface pretreatment process of graphite powder has also beenresearched.Composite powders including Cu, Ti₃SiC₂ and graphite sintered under differentconditions using Hot Preesing sintering technology.The optimal sintering technologyis obtained by means of the analysis of the composite's sintering property.Weconclude that 900℃is the optimal sintering temperature by means of analyzing the sintering temperature. On one hand,other phases could be found in the composite asthe sintering temperature is above 900℃. On the other hand,holding 2.0 hour andpressing 30MPa are also optimal and available under the experimental'scondition.The properties including density, hardness and electrical resistivity havebeen tested.The properties effect of the composite by sintering temperature,holdingtime and electroless copper plating of the two kinds of reinforced phase.Alsocomposite samples have been sintered and tested adopting different proportion ofingredient.Analyzing the microstructure of the composite samples using SEM and EDS,weconclude that patterns of Cu/C/Ti₃NiC₂ composite are the best as the two kinds ofreinforced phases have been coated copper because of improving wetting propertybetween basal body and reinforced body.And its comprehensive properties are theoptimal as the composite samples have been tested.All of this is coincident basicallywith the original intention of the experiment.