Surface composite fabrication using Fe-based alloying powder through infiltration casting technique on copper substrate

A process of vacuum infiltration casting technique for production of surface composite on copper substrate is presented. The surface infiltrated layer was fabricated on the copper substrate using Fe-based powder as surface alloying particles. The microstructure and several properties of the infiltrated layer have been studied. With an appropriate choice of processing conditions, a compact infiltrated layer is achievable through the SEM observation. The adhesion strength was evaluated through three-point bending test and thermal cycles. The macro-hardness of the infiltrated layer is about HRC 55 and the distribution of micro-hardness presents gradient change. The average micro-hardness of layer is about HV500. The thermal fatigue properties and oxidation resistance of infiltrated layer were tested at 800 °C. The number of thermal cycles reaches to 110 and 85 for infiltrated layer with a thickness of 1.5 and 2.6 mm, respectively. The infiltrated layer oxidized more rapidly than the substrate.