Properties of microwave sintered al-cu metal matrix composites

Abstract

The present work focuses on the effect of copper (Cu) reinforcement on structural and mechanical properties of Al-Cu composites synthesized through microwave sintering approach. The pure aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu) powders were intimately mixed, pelletized through cold compaction and the pellets were microwave sintered at 550 °C for 30 minutes. XRD and EDX analyses of sintered composites confirm the formation of pure phase pure crystalline structure. SEM micrographs indicate that Cu particles are uniformly distributed into the aluminum matrix without any agglomeration. The microhardness tests demonstrate that the hardness of Al-Cu composites increases with increasing Cu contents. The maximum microhardnes (102.17±7.49 Hv) and compressive strength (384.4 ± 10 MPa) values are achieved for Al-9vol%Cu composites. The increase in hardness may be ascribed to the dispersion hardening of aluminum matrix with the copper particles. The decent structural and mechanical properties of microwave sintered Al-Cu metal matrix composites make them attractive for various engineering applications.