Study on WC dispersion-strengthened copper

Dispersion-strengthened copper (DSC) with WC as dispersoid was prepared by means of mechanical alloying (MA) following the traditional powder metallurgy (P/M) route. Influence of WC content on the properties of material was discussed in detail, and result shows that when the volume fraction of WC is 1.6%, the material achieves the best overall property, and a little more particle addition led to a less superior property owing to occurrence of particle agglomeration. ne as-sintered composite was designed to undergo a deformation of 75%. It is proved that appropriate deformation is helpful to attain a higher density and consequently better properties. Deformed material was then exposed to elevated temperature to test its effect on material. Annealing for 1 h at 1173K caused material to recover quite completely, but no obvious recrystallization was observed. It's supposed the particles handicaps motion of dislocations and material demonstrates good retention of strength with substantial improvement in elongation.