Effect of the preparation technique and the H2 reduction temperature of AHM-15.34 wt%Cu powder on the characteristics of sintered Mo-25%Cu powders compacts

Mo-25wt%Cu composite powders were obtained by high energy milling and mechanical mixing of ammonium heptamolybdate (AHM)-15.34wt%Cu powders and reduction in an H2 atmosphere. The AHM-Cu powders were reduced at three different temperatures to study the influence of the reduction temperature on the characteristics of the Mo-Cu powders. The raw materials AHM and Cu; the mixed powders AHM-15.34wt%Cu, the composite powders Mo-25wt%Cu and the sintered bodies were characterized. The particle size of Mo-Cu powders increases with increasing reduction temperature. Good sinterability was exhibited by Mo-Cu powders obtained after milled for 20 h and reduced by H2 at 700 °C. However, sinterability decreases with increasing reduction temperature from 700 to 800 °C. The samples were sintered at 1150 °C for 1 h under H2 gas. Relative densities of 95.57 ± 2.49% and 83.61 ± 2.67% were achieved by compacts of milled and mixed Mo-Cu powders, respectively. A maximum electrical conductivity of 38.50 and 30.30% IACS and Vickers microhardness of 302 and 274.14 Hv were obtained by the sintered compacts prepared with milled and mixed Mo-Cu powders, respectively. [Display omitted] •Impact of the preparation technique on the characteristics of Mo-Cu composites.•Mo-Cu composites prepared by High Energy Milling.•High energy milling improves the bond between Mo and Cu.•Mo-Cu composites with a relative density of 95.57 ± 2.49%.•Electrical conductivity of 38.50% IACS and Vickers microhardness of 302 HV.