Properties and consolidation of nanocrystalline 3Cu–Al2O3 composite by rapid sintering

Abstract

Nanopowders of Cu and Al 2 O 3 were synthesized from 3CuO and 2Al powders by high-energy ball milling. Nanocrystalline Al 2 O 3 reinforced composite was consolidated by pulsed-current activated sintering method within 2 min from mechanically synthesized powders of Al 2 O 3 and Cu. The relative density of the composite was 96%. The average hardness and fracture toughness values obtained were 540 kg/mm 2 and 6.3 MPa m 1/2 , respectively.