Compression Properties and Electrical Conductivity of In-Situ 20 vol.% Nano-Sized TiC(x)/Cu Composites with Different Particle Size and Morphology

The compression properties and electrical conductivity of in-situ 20 vol.% nano-sized TiC(x)/Cu composites fabricated via combustion synthesis and hot press in Cu-Ti-CNTs system at various particles size and morphology were investigated. Cubic-TiC(x)/Cu composite had higher ultimate compression strength (σ(UCS)), yield strength (σ(0.2)), and electric conductivity, compared with those of spherical-TiC(x)/Cu composite. The σ(UCS), σ(0.2), and electrical conductivity of cubic-TiC(x)/Cu composite increased by 4.37%, 20.7%, and 17.8% compared with those of spherical-TiC(x)/Cu composite (526 MPa, 183 MPa, and 55.6% International Annealed Copper Standard, IACS). Spherical-TiC(x)/Cu composite with average particle size of ~94 nm exhibited higher ultimate compression strength, yield strength, and electrical conductivity compared with those of spherical-TiC(x)/Cu composite with 46 nm in size. The σ(UCS), σ(0.2), and electrical conductivity of spherical-TiC(x)/Cu composite with average size of ~94 nm in size increased by 17.8%, 33.9%, and 62.5% compared with those of spherical-TiC(x)/Cu composite (417 MPa, 121 MPa, and 40.3% IACS) with particle size of 49 nm, respectively. Cubic-shaped TiC(x) particles with sharp corners and edges led to stress/strain localization, which enhanced the compression strength of the composites. The agglomeration of spherical-TiC(x) particles with small size led to the compression strength reduction of the composites.