Microstructure Evaluation of W–20Cu Composites Produced by Liquid Phase Sintering, Liquid Infiltration and Sintering Activator Techniques
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58987/teqnad44Keywords:
W-Cu composites, Microstructure, Sintering activator, Direct infiltrationAbstract
This research focused on assessing the densification and microstructural characteristics of W-20Cu sintered compacts fabricated using a hybrid approach that combines direct infiltration (DI) and liquid phase sintering (LPS). Some samples were prepared using the conventional method of liquid phase sintering to compare the results with those obtained through the copper melt infiltration (Cu-MI) technique. The sintering process was carried out in alumina tube furnace at sintering temperatures of 1150°C. In both techniques, low concentration of Ni (1wt. %) was incorporated into the W-20Cu system as a sintering accelerator. The consolidation using Cu-MI technique demonstrated its effectiveness in enhancing densification and achieving a homogeneous microstructure in the sintered compact, in contrast to the conventional LPS technique. The consolidation compact of W-20Cu-1Ni composites prepared using copper-melt infiltration techniques has high densification and the relative density exceed 96% of theoretical density.
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