Reinforced copper matrix composites with highly dispersed nano size TiC in-situ generated from the Carbon Polymer Dots

• Published in: Advanced Powder Materials 2023-04, Vol.2 (2), p.100090, Article 100090
• Main Authors: Huang, Xiao, Bao, Longke, Bao, Rui, Liu, Liang, Tao, Jingmei, Wang, Jinsong, Zhang, Zhengfu, Ge, Zhenhua, Tan, Songlin, Yi, Jianhong, Meng, Fanran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon Polymer Dot; Cu matrix composites; In situ generation; Powder metallurgy; TiC phase
• ISSN: 2772-834X; 2772-834X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apmate.2022.100090

In order to uniformly disperse the ceramic reinforcements synthesized in-situ in the copper matrix composites, this study used Carbon Polymer Dot (CPD) as the carbon source and Cu–1.0%Ti alloy powder as the matrix for supplying Ti source to prepare in-situ synthesized TiC/Cu composites. The results show that TiC nano-precipitates, having the similar particle sizes with the CPD, form at the grains interior and grain boundaries, and maintain a uniform distribution state. Compared with the matrix, 0.3 ​wt% CPD/Cu composite displays the best strength-plastic compatibility, the ultimate tensile strength achieves 385 ​MPa accompanied with a corresponding elongation of 21%, owing to the dislocation hindrance caused by nano-carbide and excellent interface bonding between nano TiC and the Cu matrix. The density function theory calculation supports our experimental results by showing a tighter and stronger interface contact. This work presents a new approach for studying in-situ carbide precipitates. To create the in situ synthesized nano-sized TiC/Cu composites, Carbon Polymer Dot (CPD) was used as the carbon source. Theoretical and experimental findings support the strong interfacial bonding between TiC and copper matrix. The proposed method of in-situ synthesized nano-scaled TiC demonstrates to be a novel way to construct high-performance Cu matrix composites with both enhanced strength and plasticity. [Display omitted]