Enhancing electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of W–Cu composites with additional Ag/La2O3 hybrid

Abstract

W–Cu composites with Ag/La₂O₃ hybrid addition were prepared through pressure-free sintering at different sintering temperatures from 900 to 1200 °C. Microstructure, electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of W–Cu composites with additional Ag/La₂O₃ hybrid were analyzed. Microstructural observation showed that Ag was partially solubilized into Cu to generate Cu–Ag solid solution during the sintering, while Ag aggregation and La₂O₃ dispersion were found in the Cu matrix. The higher sintering temperature reduced the porosity of the sintered bulk composites. W–Cu composites with Ag/La₂O₃ hybrid addition possessed the higher values of electrical conductivity, hardness and strength at each sintering temperature, and the optimum sintering temperature was 1100 °C, at which Ag/La₂O₃ hybrid reached enhancement in properties comparing with W–Cu composites.