Production and characterization of B4C/SiC particle reinforced CuNiSi alloy composites

Among the recently applied production methods, CuNiSi alloys produced by powder metallurgy have been found to be remarkable in the industry. Chemical composition control of the alloy can be achieved by powder metallurgy method. Powder metallurgy has been developed as an alternative to production methods such as casting, machining, hot and cold pressing. By obtaining composites by powder metallurgy method, mechanical properties such as wear resistance, corrosion resistance, surface friction and increasing surface tensions can be given to materials. Composite materials with very good mechanical properties are produced with CuNiSi alloys, which are successful in terms of lightness and strength. In this study, composite samples were produced by adding B4C and SiC particles at different weight ratios (1; 2,5 and 5%) to the CuNiSi powder mixture by powder metallurgy method. The prepared powders were mixed with three-dimensional turbula for 1 hour. After the mixing process, the powders were subjected to cold pressing. In the cold pressing process, 600 MPa was applied as pressing pressure. The pressed samples were sintered in an atmosphere controlled heat treatment furnace. The sintering process was carried out in an argon atmosphere at 900 ℃ for 1 hour. Scanning electron microscopy was used to determine the microstructures of the produced samples, X-Ray Diffraction method analysis, microhardness analyzes and density measurements were made to determine the phases formed in the internal structures of the produced samples. From the microstructure results, it was determined that B4C and SiC particles were homogeneously dispersed in the microstructure. The hardness values of the produced composite samples increased due to the increasing B4C and SiC reinforcement ratio. In addition, as a result of experimental studies, it was measured as 146 HV0,05 in the CuNiSi composite sample with 5% B4C added to the highest hardness value.