Production and characterisation of copper matrix composites

In this study, in-situ Cu matrix Cr and C added composite materials were produced by using the Sark Plasma Sintering (SPS) method in an argon atmosphere at 900 oC and 35 Mpa pressure for a waiting time of 4 minutes. The microstructure, mechanical properties and densities of these produced materials were examined. Microstructure examinations were carried out with XRD, SEM and SEM/EDS. Mechanical property examinations were carried out with three-point bending test and hardness measurement. In the produced composite materials, Cr and C did not react during the SPS process. Cr remained in the microstructure as a separate phase and C as the graphite phase. It was observed that the hardness of the produced materials increased as the amount of added Cr increased, the highest hardness was reached in the material to which 30 percent Cr was added. The bending strength of the produced materials decreased as the amount of added Cr increased. The density values were measured according to the Archimedes principle, and it is seen that the relative density value obtained increases with the increase in the amount of Cr. The highest relative density value was reached in the material with 30 percent Cr added. In the thesis study, higher relative densities were achieved even with lower Cr-C additions with SPS.