Co and W reinforced Cu-Co-W composite materials produced by powder metallurgy method: Microstructure and mechani̇cal properties

Among the recently applied production methods, Cu alloys produced by powder metallurgy have attracted considerable attention in the industry. This method provides control of the chemical composition of the alloy. It was developed as an alternative to traditional production methods such as powder metallurgy, casting, machining, hot and cold pressing. Composites produced by this method can provide materials with superior mechanical properties such as wear resistance, corrosion resistance, surface friction and increasing surface tension. Composite materials with very good mechanical properties are produced with Cu alloys, which are successful in terms of lightness and durability. In this study, composite samples were produced by supplementing the Cu-Co-W powder mixture with Co and W particles at different weight rates (5%, 10% and 15%) using the powder metallurgy method. The prepared powders were subjected to mechanical alloying for 1 hour in a mechanical alloying device. After the alloying process, the powders were pressed under 600 MPa pressure by cold pressing method. The pressed samples were subjected to sintering for 1 hour at 1000 ℃ in an argon atmosphere. Scanning electron microscopy was used to determine the microstructures of the produced samples, and X-ray diffraction analysis, microhardness analyzes and density measurements were performed to determine the phases formed in their internal structures. According to the microstructure results, it was determined that Cu, Co and W particles were distributed homogeneously in the internal structure. An increase in hardness values was observed in the produced composite samples due to the increasing Co and W particle ratio. As a result of experimental studies, the highest hardness value was measured as 300 HV0.05 in the Cu-Co-W composite sample to which 15% W was added.