Experimental analysis on wear behavior of sintered tungsten reinforced copper nano composite

Abstract

Investigation and studies of materials are generally used to refine their properties for their use in applications that will benefit mankind. The strength of metallic materials facilitates to determine the usability and reliability of all the machine, tools and equipment around us. Powder Metallurgy (P/M) is one among the metal working operations, involving a near net or net-shaped manufacturing process that combines the features of shape-making technology. The present research work involves experimental investigation of the mechanical behavior of sintered copper P/M cylindrical preforms of different tungsten content namely 5, 10 and 15 % by weight basis. Cylindrical compacts of 20 mm diameter were prepared using ball milled Cu and Cu-(5- 15%) W powders. The required powders were compacted by using suitable punch and die set assembly on a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) having 1 MN capacity. Compacting pressure was applied gradually and it was 1.2 GPa for all specimens. Graphite was used to lubricate the punch, die and the butt. When preparing the compacts, the initial density of 85% of theoretical density was maintained by accurately controlling the mass and observing the compacting pressure employed. The sintering was carried out in an inert gas circulated electric muffle furnace at various sintering temperatures: 750 °C, 800 °C and 850 °C respectively for a holding period of one hour. As soon as the sintering schedule was over, the sintered preforms were cooled inside the furnace itself to the room temperature. In order to increase the relative density, the sintered preforms were extruded by the extrusion die set assembly.