Synthesis and mechanical characterization of Si <sub>3</sub> N <sub>4</sub> reinforced copper-tin matrix composites
Anjan Kumar B. Hanumantharayappa, C. Rohit Prasanna, Chethana C. Ragavendra, Chandrasekhar Singh Beekam, B. Latha Shankar, Madeva Nagaral, Suresh Rangappa
Abstract
Abstract The present research reports improvement in mechanical performance of Copper-Tin(Cu-Sn) composites due to the addition of hard Si 3 N 4 particles as reinforcement. Two-step stir casting technique was adopted to prepare Si 3 N 4 -reinforced Cu-Sn based composites. The uniform distribution of the reinforcement in the matrix was ensured by SEM morphology and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDAX) spectrum of the developed composites. Brinell hardness test and tension test were used to estimate the hardness and tensile strength of the composite. Si 3 N 4 reinforcing materials added to the extent of 7.5% by wt. to Cu-Sn matrix enhanced hardness by 41% and UTS by 33%, YS by 29% and showed 23% decrement in ductility. Thus a comparison of Si 3 N 4 -reinforced Cu-Sn based composites with base metal has shown that considerable improvement in tensile properties such as UTS and YS and hardness if reinforcing material is added to the extent of 7.5%.