Effect of NbC Particles on the Properties of Copper Matrix Composites.

NbC particle reinforced copper matrix composites with 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% NbC were prepared via microwave sintering using niobium carbide particles and electrolytic copper powder as raw materials. The effects of niobium carbide mass fraction and microwave sintering temperature on the properties of copper matrix composites were investigated by observing the microstructure and testing the density, hardness, and conductivity. The results show that the NbC particles in the copper matrix can be evenly distributed on the matrix except for a small amount of particles that agglomerate and grow up; with the increase of sintering temperature, the density, conductivity and hardness of copper matrix composites increased: the density increased from 5.8 g/cm³ to 7.208 g/cm³ ; the conductivity increased from less than 10% IACS to 63.8% IACS. The hardness increased from 35 HV to 64.5 HV. With the increase of the mass fraction of the reinforced phase, the hardness increased from 36 HV to 64.5 HV at 1 000 °C, the density decreased from 7.208 g/cm³ to 5.86 g/cm³, and the conductivity decreased from 63.8% IACS to 24.1% IACS. When the mass fraction of NbC is 1%, the influence of sintering temperature is obvious. When the sintering temperature is 1 000 °C, the conductivity reaches the maximum, which is 63.8% IACS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]