The impact of pre-deformation and traverse speed on friction stir processed cu-w composites

Abstract

This study examined the effects of pre-deformation induced by asymmetric rolling on a copper-based metal, as well as the influence of traverse speed during friction stir processing, on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and electrical conductivity of tungsten-reinforced copper matrix composites. The findings reveal that increasing the traverse speed up to 40 mm/min results in a more uniform distribution of tungsten particles within the stir zone. The copper-tungsten (Cu-W) composite processed at a traverse speed of 40 mm/min achieves the highest hardness (124.9 ± 8.9 HV0.1), ultimate tensile strength (307.4 ± 11.8 MPa), tensile toughness (92.1 ± 1.1 MJ/m³), and electrical conductivity (92.8 ± 1.3%IACS). Compared to the as-rolled copper-based metal, the electrical conductivity of the Cu-W composite fabricated at 40 mm/min improves by 8.8%.