Research on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/Cu Composites Prepared by Internal Oxidation and HP Method

In this study, an innovative internal oxidation-powder metallurgy combined process was employed to controllably generate nano-sized Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> reinforcing phases within the Cu matrix. The Cu/Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> composites were...

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Main Authors: Qinguo Zhou, Haijun Wu, Qi Zhao, Yichun Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Metals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/6/585
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author Qinguo Zhou
Haijun Wu
Qi Zhao
Yichun Liu
author_facet Qinguo Zhou
Haijun Wu
Qi Zhao
Yichun Liu
author_sort Qinguo Zhou
collection DOAJ
description In this study, an innovative internal oxidation-powder metallurgy combined process was employed to controllably generate nano-sized Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> reinforcing phases within the Cu matrix. The Cu/Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> composites were successfully fabricated using the hot-press sintering (HP) method, and a systematic comparison was made between the microstructure and mechanical properties of composites prepared by internal oxidation and external addition methods. The results show that internal oxidation primarily occurs during the sintering process rather than ball milling. Compared with external addition, the internal oxidation method effectively prevents particle aggregation and achieves a uniform distribution of Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> particles in the Cu matrix. When the Cr content reaches 5 wt%, the Cu-5%Cr composite exhibits optimal mechanical properties, with a yield strength of 282.7 MPa and ultimate tensile strength of 355 MPa, representing increases of 43% and 34% over pure copper, respectively, while maintaining an elongation of 12.6%. The Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> particles generated via internal oxidation enhance their strength through Orowan strengthening and dislocation pinning, thereby significantly improving mechanical performance without compromising plasticity. This research provides a novel process optimization approach for developing high-performance dispersion-strengthened copper matrix composites.
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spelling doaj-art-b3524331376d4671adca299df5a949412025-08-20T03:27:32ZengMDPI AGMetals2075-47012025-05-0115658510.3390/met15060585Research on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/Cu Composites Prepared by Internal Oxidation and HP MethodQinguo Zhou0Haijun Wu1Qi Zhao2Yichun Liu3School of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, ChinaKunming Precious Materials & Technology Co., Ltd., Kunming 650106, ChinaKunming Precious Materials & Technology Co., Ltd., Kunming 650106, ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, ChinaIn this study, an innovative internal oxidation-powder metallurgy combined process was employed to controllably generate nano-sized Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> reinforcing phases within the Cu matrix. The Cu/Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> composites were successfully fabricated using the hot-press sintering (HP) method, and a systematic comparison was made between the microstructure and mechanical properties of composites prepared by internal oxidation and external addition methods. The results show that internal oxidation primarily occurs during the sintering process rather than ball milling. Compared with external addition, the internal oxidation method effectively prevents particle aggregation and achieves a uniform distribution of Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> particles in the Cu matrix. When the Cr content reaches 5 wt%, the Cu-5%Cr composite exhibits optimal mechanical properties, with a yield strength of 282.7 MPa and ultimate tensile strength of 355 MPa, representing increases of 43% and 34% over pure copper, respectively, while maintaining an elongation of 12.6%. The Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> particles generated via internal oxidation enhance their strength through Orowan strengthening and dislocation pinning, thereby significantly improving mechanical performance without compromising plasticity. This research provides a novel process optimization approach for developing high-performance dispersion-strengthened copper matrix composites.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/6/585Cu matrix compositeinternal oxidation methodmicrostructuremechanical properties
spellingShingle Qinguo Zhou
Haijun Wu
Qi Zhao
Yichun Liu
Research on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/Cu Composites Prepared by Internal Oxidation and HP Method
Metals
Cu matrix composite
internal oxidation method
microstructure
mechanical properties
title Research on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/Cu Composites Prepared by Internal Oxidation and HP Method
title_full Research on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/Cu Composites Prepared by Internal Oxidation and HP Method
title_fullStr Research on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/Cu Composites Prepared by Internal Oxidation and HP Method
title_full_unstemmed Research on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/Cu Composites Prepared by Internal Oxidation and HP Method
title_short Research on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/Cu Composites Prepared by Internal Oxidation and HP Method
title_sort research on the microstructure and mechanical properties of cr sub 2 sub o sub 3 sub cu composites prepared by internal oxidation and hp method
topic Cu matrix composite
internal oxidation method
microstructure
mechanical properties
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/6/585
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AT haijunwu researchonthemicrostructureandmechanicalpropertiesofcrsub2subosub3subcucompositespreparedbyinternaloxidationandhpmethod
AT qizhao researchonthemicrostructureandmechanicalpropertiesofcrsub2subosub3subcucompositespreparedbyinternaloxidationandhpmethod
AT yichunliu researchonthemicrostructureandmechanicalpropertiesofcrsub2subosub3subcucompositespreparedbyinternaloxidationandhpmethod