High velocity compaction of 0.9Al2O3/Cu composite powder

• Using high velocity compaction we compact Cu–0.9Al2O3 composite powder.
• At impact velocity 9.4 m/s the relative green density was obtained 96.8%.
• Axial and radial shrinkage increased with increase in sintering temperature.
• The mechanical properties were improved with an increase sintering temperature.

The 0.9Al2O3/Cu composite powder was compacted by high velocity compaction (HVC) technique and the effects of sintering temperature on density and mechanical properties such as tensile strength and hardness were studied. The results showed that with an increase in impact velocity the green density of the compacts significantly increased. At impact velocity of 9.40 m s−1, the maximum green density of the compacts reached up to 8.460 g/cm3 (RD 96.8%). The green compacts were then sintered at different temperatures and it was found that with the increase in sintering temperature the sintered density and the mechanical properties also increased. At sintering temperature of 1080 °C, the compacts obtained the maximum relative sintered density of 98%, a tensile strength of 346 MPa and hardness of 71.1 HRB. Additionally with the increase in sintering temperature, the shrinkage along both axial and radial direction increased. The electrical conductivity of the samples was measured as 71% IACS.