Effect of liquid-phase sintering as a means of quality enhancement of pseudoalloys based on copper

Abstract

The effects of liquid phase of metal binder on the microstructure and properties of self-diffusion gradient composite (Cu - Al – ZnO) were investigated. For the compositions considered, it was revealed that at the temperature near 550 °C liquid phase binder from nanoparticles Cu – Al formed. Applying a proper amount of (Cu – Al) binder appeared to be beneficial for fabricating gradient composites with desired self-diffusion process and mass transfer of additives nanoparticles into volume of matrix during sintering and the desired fine microstructure and mechanical properties. For the experimental conditions considered in this study, the best mechanical properties can be obtained when 6 mass % (Cu – Al) ligature were used, which gave hardness HB at 120, electroerosion wear – 0.092 • 10-6 g / cycle, electroresistivity – 0.025 mkOm.