Development of Copper based Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites

Copper based hybrid metal matrix composites reinforced with graphite and SiC by powder metallurgy route takes advantage of both graphite and SiC. Graphite helps in improving the wear resistance as graphite acts as a lubricating film on the contact surface and it's having a small coefficient of thermal expansion, but hardness decreases due to the softness of graphite. SiC helps in improving the hardness of the composite. Copper based hybrid metal matrix composites are used in many electrical contact applications like contact bushes and bearing materials. Cu based metal matrix composite is also used as a heat sink because of its low coefficient of thermal expansion and packaging of microelectronics compact. In our present investigation, attempts have been made to fabricate Copper-graphite-SiC hybrid metal matrix composites by powder metallurgy route. The main aim is to study the microstructural behaviors and improve the mechanical properties and wear resistance of composite with a minor loss of electrical conductivity.