Electron microscopy characterization of mechanically alloyed and hot consolidates Cu-Cr₃C₂ particles

Mechanically alloyed copper-ceramic composites have been obtained with the purpose of studying their use as copper-based material for electrical equipment. For high-temperature applications, dispersion-strengthened copper alloys are attractive due to their excellent combination of thermal and electrical conductivity, mechanical strength retention and microstructural stability. In this work, powder mixtures of pure copper with 2 vol % Cr3C2, milled during 4, 6, 10, 12 and 15 h in a high-energy planetary balls mill under argon atmosphere, were consolidated by hot isostatic pressing, applying a pressure of 100 MPa at 1073 K for two hours, to obtain materials with a fine microstructure. The Cu-Cr3C2 alloys were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron microprobe (EPMA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Mechanical properties and electrical conductivity were also studied. The average tensile strength and electrical conductivity were found to be 500 MPa and 50 % IACS, respectively. The Cr3C2 ceramics show good stability during hot consolidation. Contributing to a further strengthening of the alloy during the hot consolidation, uniformly-distributed Fe-carbide particles of nanometric size precipitated in the copper matrix. Fe-Cr oxycarbides formed in the interphase between Cr3C2 particles and the copper matrix cause the low ductility of Cu-Cr3C2 alloys. Said particles are attributed to impurities/contamination generated from the milling process. Se obtuvieron aleaciones compuestas de Cu-Cr3C2, aleadas mecánicamente, para estudiar futuras aplicaciones en componentes eléctricos. A altas temperaturas, las aleaciones de base cobre reforzadas por dispersión, son atractivas por su excelente conductividad térmica y eléctrica, propiedades mecánicas y estabilidad microstructural. En este estudio, mezclas de polvo de cobre puro con un 2 % en vol. de Cr3C2, obtenidas mediante molienda en un molino de bolas planetario de alta energía, durante 4, 6, 10, 12 y 15 h, se compactaron isostáticamente en caliente a 1.073 K durante 2 h con una presión de 100 MPa en argón, para obtener un material con una microestructura fina. Las aleaciones de Cu-Cr3C2 se estudiaron mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido MEB y de transmisión MET, además de microsonda electrónica. También, se caracterizaron las propiedades mecánicas y la conductividad eléctrica, obteniéndose valores de 500 MPa y 50 % IACS, respectivamente. Las cerámicas de Cr3C2 presentan una buena estabilidad durante la compactación en caliente. Se observó la precipitación de partículas de tama o nanom