Synthesis and Workability Behavior of Cu-X wt.% TiC (x = 0, 4, 8, and 12) Powder Metallurgy Composites

In this work, copper (Cu) matrix composite reinforced with titanium carbide (TiC) was fabricated by powder metallurgy (PM) method with the varying TiC content from 0% to 12% by weight in the step of 4%. The required weight percentage of powders was milled in an indigenously developed ball milling setup. Green compacts were made using a computer-controlled hydraulic press (400 kN) and sintered in a muffle furnace at a temperature of 950°C. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to analyze the distribution of TiC particles in Cu matrix in as-sintered conditions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis resulted in the existence of respective phases in the produced composites. The structural characteristics such as stress, strain, dislocation density, and grain size of the milled composites were evaluated. Cold upsetting was conducted for the sintered composites at room temperature to evaluate the axial (σ(z)), hoop (σ(ө)), hydrostatic (σ(m)), and effective (σ(eff)) true stresses. These stresses were analyzed against true axial strain (ε(z)). Results showed that the increase in the inclusion of weight percentage of TiC into the Cu matrix increases density, hardness, (σ(z)), (σ(ө)), (σ(m)), (σ(eff)), and stress ratio parameters such as (σ(z)/σ(eff)), (σ(θ)/σ(eff)), (σ(m)/σ(eff)), and (σ(z)/σ(θ)) of the composites.