Effect of Silver Element on Microstructure and Properties of W-30Cu/TiC Composites

W-30wt%Cu and TiC-50wt%Ag were successfully synthesized by a novel simplified pretreatment followed by electroless plating. The 0wt% TiC, 0.5wt% TiC, and 0.5wt%TiC-0.5wt%Ag composite powders were added to W-30wt%Cu composite powders by blending, and then reduced. The reduced W-30Cu, W-30Cu/0.5TiC, and W-30Cu-0.5Ag/0.5TiC composite powders were then compacted and sintered at 1 300 °C in protective hydrogen for 60 min. The phase and morphology of the composite powders and materials were analyzed using X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The relative density, electrical conductivity, and hardness of the sintered samples were examined. Results showed that W-30Cu and TiC-Ag composite powders with uniform structure were obtained using simplified pretreatment followed by electroless plating. The addition of TiC particles can significantly increase the compressive strength and hardness of the W-30Cu composite material but decrease the electrical conductivity. Next, 0.5wt% Ag was added to prepare W-30Cu-0.5Ag/TiC composites with excellent electrical conductivity. The electrical conductivity of these composites (61.2%) is higher than that in the national standard (the imaginary line denotes electrical conductivity of GB IACS 42%) of 45.7%.