Enhanced microstructural properties of copper composites through Fe-W reinforcement via microwave heating

Abstract

In this study, composite castings of Cu-based materials were prepared by using electromagnetic energy of frequency 2.45 GHz. Four separate sets of castings were produced inside the domestic microwave applicator cavity with reinforced compositions of up to 15% in steps of 5% for each composite cast (Cu+10%Fe, Cu+10%Fe+5%W, Cu +10%Fe+10%W, and Cu +10%Fe+15%W). A microwave radiation exposure time of 7 min was required to completely melt the pure copper powder. However, the addition of Fe-W reinforcement reduced the exposure time to 5 min (min) for the Cu +10%Fe+15%W composite cast. The formation of different phases was revealed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the cast samples. The composite cast samples exhibited peaks corresponding to Cu₆₄O, Fe₃O₄, and Cu_0.4W_0.6. The microstructural analysis demonstrated that the grains grew equiaxed with a uniform dispersion of the reinforcements. The maximum microhardness was achieved 215 ± 10.07 for Cu+10%Fe+15%W which is 3.39 times better than microwave cast copper sample.