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This paper presents the results of research on the possibilities of producing and using Cu / Al2O3 composite material fabricated by powder metallurgy. The starting materials for obtaining the composites were commercial powders: Cu and Al2O3. The quality of the combination of aluminum oxide with the matrix and the influence of aluminum oxide particles on sinter properties were also evaluated. Alumina was introduced into a copper matrix in the amount of 2.5 %, 5 %, 7.5 % and 10 % by weight. Before the sintering process, single pressing was performed with a hydraulic press at a compaction pressure of 620 MPa. The sintering process was carried out for 60 minutes at a temperature of 900 °C. The obtained sinters were subjected to the compaction process at a pressure of 620 MPa, and then again sintered at 900 °C for 60 minutes. The sintered compacts were subjected to the following tests: measurement of density, hardness, electrical conductivity and abrasion resistance. Observations of the microstructure on metallographic specimens made from the sintered samples were also performed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The process of compaction of the fabricated composite caused an increase in the hardness, density, electrical conductivity and abrasion resistance in comparison to a composite subjected to only the pressing and sintering process. Both the density and electrical conductivity decreased with the increase of Al2O3 content in composites after sintering and after the compaction process.
Keywords: Metal composite, sintering, alumina, copper, powder metallurgy© This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.