Author(s)

Daniela Passarelo Moura da Fonseca, Waldemar Alfredo Monteiro

Nuclear and Energy Research Institute, IPEN, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, Brazil.

Copper-based composites strengthened by ceria nanoparticles were processed by conventional powder metallurgy: mixing (30 min and 46 rpm), compaction (cold, uniaxial, 1080 MPa for 10 s) and sintering (800°C for 6 h in vacuum atmosphere of 10⁻⁵ torr). It was studied the microstructure (optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy), X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement and some properties (electrical conductivity, Vickers hardness and fracture analysis) of the compositions 92 wt% Cu - 8 wt% CeO₂ and 80 wt% Cu - 20 wt% CeO₂. The results showed uniform phase distribution, low porosity and ceria disperse inside copper grain. In despite of properties, the composites had electrical conductivity of 38% IACS and 15% IACS and hardness of 69 and 88 HV₅, respectively. The results of 92 wt% Cu - 8 wt% CeO₂ composites were promising, and they are in according with actual literature.

Copper-Based Composites, Ceria, Microstructure, Electrical Conductivity, Hardness

da Fonseca, D. and Monteiro, W. (2019) The Microstructure and Properties of Copper with Ceria Nanoparticles Addition. Journal of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, 7, 40-48. doi: 10.4236/msce.2019.710004.