Fabrication of Nano-Al2O3/Cu Composite With Powder Treated by Spherical Process

Composite powder that nano-Al2O3 particle is dispersed on micrometer copper matrix is prepared by mechanical alloying (MA). Then the shape of composite powder is spherical, rounded or ligamental after being treated by spherical process. After this treatment the nano-Al2O3/Cu composite was fabricated by hot pressing (HP) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The microstructures of the composite were analyzed by SEM. The bending strength, relative density, and electric conductivity are also investigated. The best properties with σbb=597MPa, relative density=99%, and electric conductivity =88% IACS were obtained when Al2O3 is 1.0% among 0.5% to 1.5%. There is also local agglomeration of nano-Al2O3 particle dispersed on copper matrix. The ductile fracture occurs under the three-point bending test.