Mechanical properties and rapid low-temperature consolidation of nanocrystalline Cu-ZrO2 composites by pulsed current activated heating

• Published in: Metals and materials international 2015, 21(4), , pp.698-703
• Main Authors: Kang, Bo-Ram, Yoon, Jin-kook, Hong, Kyung-Tae, Shon, In-Jin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Engineering Thermodynamics; Heat and Mass Transfer; Machines; Magnetic Materials; Magnetism; Manufacturing; Materials Science; Metallic Materials; Processes; Solid Mechanics; 재료공학
• ISSN: 1598-9623; 2005-4149
• DOI: 10.1007/s12540-015-4366-1

Metal-ceramic compositr can be obtained with an optimum combination of low density, high oxidation resistance, and high hardness of the ceramic and toughness of the metal. Therefore, metal matrix composites are recognized as candidates for aerospace, automotive, biomaterials, and defense applications. Despite its many attractive properties, the low fracture toughness of ZrO 2 limits its wide application. One of the most obvious tactics to improve the mechanical properties has been to fabricate a nanostructured material and composite material. Nano-powders of Cu and ZrO 2 were synthesized from 2CuO and Zr powders by high-energy ball milling. Nanocrystalline 2Cu-ZrO 2 composite was consolidated within 5 minutes from mechanically synthesized powders of ZrO 2 and 2Cu at low temperature, by a pulsed current activated sintering method. The relative density of the composite was 98.5%. The fracture toughness of 2Cu-ZrO 2 composite in this study is higher than that of monolithic ZrO 2 , without great decrease of hardness.