Effect of Ti3SiC2 Content on the Property of a Warm Compacted Cu-Ti3SiC2 Composite

A simple and economical powder metallurgy forming process known as warm compaction was employed to fabricate a Cu-Ti3SiC2 particulate reinforced copper matrix composite for electro-friction purpose. Copper matrix composites reinforced with 5, 10, 15 mass% Cu coated Ti(3)SiC(2)particulate were prepared by compacting the powder mixture with a pressure of 700 MPa at 145 degrees C, and then sintered at 1000 degrees C under cracked ammonia atmosphere for 60 minutes. Their density, hardness, tensile strength, elongation and electrical resistivity were studied. Result showed that within a reasonable limit, the addition of Ti3SiC2 particulate can increase the hardness of the composite without losing much of electrical conductivity. Sintered composite with 5 mass% Ti3SiC2 has an ultimate tensile strength of 182 MPa with an elongation of 10%, a hardness of HB 68 and a resistivity of 8.0x10(-8)Omega m. Compared with the samples using uncoated Ti3SiC2 particulate, the resistivity of the samples prepared by using the Cu coated Ti3SiC2 particulate have a better conductivity, but have a slightly lower mechanical property.