Effect of Ti(3)SiC(2) content on the property of a warm compacted Cu-Ti(3)SiC(2) composite

A simple and economical powder metallurgy forming process known as warm compaction was employed to fabricate a Cu-Ti(3)SiC(2) particulate reinforced copper matrix composite for electro-friction purpose. Copper matrix composites reinforced with 5, 10, 15 mass% Cu coated Ti(3)SiC(2)particulate were prepared by compacting the powder mixture with a pressure of 700 MPa at 145 deg C, and then sintered at 1000 deg C under cracked ammonia atmosphere for 60 minutes. Their density, hardness, tensile strength, elongation and electrical resistivity were studied. Result showed that within a reasonable limit, the addition of Ti(3)SiC(2) particulate can increase the hardness of the composite without losing much of electrical conductivity. Sintered composite with 5 mass% Ti(3)SiC(2) has an ultimate tensile strength of 182 MPa with an elongation of 10%, a hardness of HB 68 and a resistivity of 8.0 x 10(-8) Omegam. Compared with the samples using uncoated Ti(3)SiC(2) particulate, the resistivity of the samples prepared by using the Cu coated Ti(3)SiC(2) particulate have a better conductivity, but have a slightly lower mechanical property.