Microstructure and Properties of WCP/Cu Layered Functionally Graded Materials Prepared by Vacuum Hot-Pressed Sintering

The aim of this study is to fabricate WCp/Cu functionally graded materials (FGMs) and test its properties. Vacuum Hot-pressed Sintering technique is used to develop the graded WC particle reinforced Cu matrix composite. Using powder layering technique, a multi-layered WCp/Cu FGM have been prepared successfully. Scanning electron microscopy is used for microstructural analysis. Microscopic observations display that the microstructure of WCp/Cu FGM distribute gradually, and have no visible macroscopic interface. The mechanical properties of WCp/Cu functionally graded materials have been investigated, including Vickers's hardness, Young’s modulus and Tensile strength. Experimental results show that the properties of WCp/Cu FGM strongly depend on compositional variation.