Fabrication and properties of Ti3AlC2 particulates reinforced copper composites

The ternary carbide Ti3AlC2 was reactively synthesized from the elemental powder mixtures of Ti, Al and activated carbon. Cu/Ti3AlC2 composites were fabricated by hot-pressing method. Their microstructures and properties were investigated. The results demonstrated that Ti3AlC2 is a promising reinforcement for copper and the Cu/Ti3AlC2 composites exhibited lower electrical conductivity and much superior flexural strength to pure copper matrix without remarkable loss of fracture toughness.