Microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu-B4C and CuAl-B4C composites produced by hot pressing

Cu matrix composite materials reinforced with B 4 C particle at four different contents (1.5 wt%, 3.0 wt%, 4.5 wt% and 6.0 wt%) and also CuAl matrix composites with 13 wt% Al reinforced with B 4 C particle at four different contents (1.5 wt%, 3.0 wt%, 4.5 wt% and 6.0 wt%) were fabricated by hot pressing (HP) and a powder metallurgy (PM) process. Experimental samples were produced by keeping them at 880 °C at the constant pressure of 2.3 × 10 8 Pa for 6 min. The density, microstructure and mechanical properties of the produced samples were examined. The microstructure and phase examinations were carried out by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscope (OM), energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis. The hardness measurements, three-point bending test and impact test were conducted to determine the mechanical properties. As a result of the examinations, it was observed that the relative density values decreased with the increasing content of B 4 C and provided a relatively effective bonding. Moreover, it was homogeneously distributed in the produced specimens. Consequently, there was a considerable increase in the hardness and the bending strength of CuAl matrix specimens with Al addition.