Reinforced copper matrix composites with highly dispersed nano size TiC in-situ generated from the Carbon Polymer Dots
Xiao Huang, Longke Bao, Rui Bao, Liang Liu, Jingmei Tao, Jinsong Wang, Zhengfu Zhang, Zhenhua Ge, Songlin Tan, Jianhong Yi, Fanran Meng
Abstract
In order to uniformly disperse the ceramic reinforcements synthesized in-situ in the copper matrix composites, this study used Carbon Polymer Dot (CPD) as the carbon source and Cu–1.0%Ti alloy powder as the matrix for supplying Ti source to prepare in-situ synthesized TiC/Cu composites. The results show that TiC nano-precipitates, having the similar particle sizes with the CPD, form at the grains interior and grain boundaries, and maintain a uniform distribution state. Compared with the matrix, 0.3 wt% CPD/Cu composite displays the best strength-plastic compatibility, the ultimate tensile strength achieves 385 MPa accompanied with a corresponding elongation of 21%, owing to the dislocation hindrance caused by nano-carbide and excellent interface bonding between nano TiC and the Cu matrix. The density function theory calculation supports our experimental results by showing a tighter and stronger interface contact. This work presents a new approach for studying in-situ carbide precipitates.