Improving the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of cold-sprayed Cu-Ti3SiC2 composite by friction stir processing

• Published in: Composites. Part A, Applied science and manufacturing Applied science and manufacturing, 2023-10, Vol.173, p.107698, Article 107698
• Main Authors: Yang, Zhibin, Wang, Jinming, Li, Xingchao, Wang, Yandong, Ni, Dingrui, Zhang, Xintao, Xu, Jingjun, Li, Meishuan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electrical properties; Mechanical properties; Metal-matrix composites; Microstructural analysis
• ISSN: 1359-835X; 1878-5840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2023.107698

Cold-sprayed composites' inherent brittleness, caused by the weak interface bonding and plastic depletion, limits their wide application. Friction stir processing (FSP) as a post-treatment method was used in this paper to improve the comprehensive properties of cold-sprayed Cu-Ti3SiC2 composite. After FSP, the microstructure evolution, electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of the samples were investigated. The results showed that the composite was composed of ultrafine grains (UFG) with an average size of 0.58 μm (Cu) and 0.16 μm (Ti3SiC2). The defects such as micro holes and cracks were reduced, and the particle boundaries changed from opened inter-splat boundaries to closed inter-splat boundaries. The FSP samples exhibited good electrical conductivity (85.6 %IACS), high tensile strengths (397 MPa) and elongation (18.7%). In conclusion, FSP is a simplified and efficient method for improving the toughness and electrical conductivity of cold-sprayed Cu-Ti3SiC2 composite.