Effect of Grain Refinement on the Comprehensive Mechanical Performance of W–Cu Composites

Abstract

W–Cu composites are commonly subjected to coupled multiple fields in service, which imposes high requirements on their overall performance. In this study, the ultrafine-grained W–Cu composite was fabricated using the combination of electroless plating and spark plasma sintering. The wear resistance and high-temperature compressive properties of the ultrafine-grained W–Cu composite were investigated and compared with those of the commercial coarse-grained counterpart. Moreover, the underlying strengthening and wear mechanisms were also discussed. Here we show that the ultrafine-grained W–Cu composite exhibits superior integrated mechanical performance, making it a potential alternative to commercial W–Cu composites.

Graphene-Enhanced CuW Composites for High-Voltage Circuit Breaker Electrical Contacts

“…Existing processes for the preparation of copper-based contact materials include: induced copper powder fusion infiltration, pre-sintered tungsten skeleton fusion infiltration, activation sintering, high-temperature liquid-phase sintering, vacuum sintering, and injection molding sintering. The microstructures of CuW composites produced under different process conditions are very different, and their comprehensive properties are therefore significantly different [4][5][6][7].…”

“…Copper-tungsten (CuW) composites, as a prototypical two-phase pseudo-alloy, integrate the high conductivity and thermal conductivity of copper with the exceptional strength and arc ablation resistance of tungsten. Owing to these advantageous characteristics, CuW composites, especially CuW80 (80 wt.% W content), are extensively utilized as electrical contacts in high-voltage circuit breakers [4][5][6][7][8].…”

Recent Advances in W–Cu Composites: A Review on the Fabrication, Application, Property, Densification, and Strengthening Mechanism

“…For W-Cu composites, the strengthening phase is mainly distributed in the grain boundary of W or W/Cu phase boundary, [149] and the strengthening effect is mainly achieved by the pinning [140] Copyright 2023, Open Access. 40.…”

“…[ 139 ] Han et al investigated the wear behavior and high‐temperature deformation behavior of the UFG W–Cu composite. [ 140 ] It was found that grain refinement enhanced the resistance against plastic deformation, leading to a reduced thickness of mechanical mixing layer and debris size in the UFG W–Cu composite. In addition, the high‐temperature strength of UFG W–Cu composite was largely improved due to the grain refinement and enhanced blocking effect of W phase on dislocations.…”

“…Comparison of the overall properties of the UFG W-Cu and the CCG W-Cu composites. Reproduced with permission [140]. Copyright 2023, Open Access.…”